IMF spoke about the problems of the Russian economy

The International Monetary Fund, whose mission on Thursday graduated in Moscow, spoke about the problems of the Russian economy. The head of the IMF mission in Russia Paul Thomsen at a press conference on Friday as a positive initiative noted the decision of Russia to repay the debts to the Parisian club of creditors ahead of schedule. The government’s work in other areas causes serious concern in the IMF.

First of all, this applies to stagnation in priority reforms and reducing investment activity.

“Most of the reforms that are priority, in particular, reforms of housing and communal services and health care, are significantly lagging behind the schedule, there are no progress at all in a number of areas of progress,” Tomsen quotes Interfax quoted. According to him, "this assessment is shared by many observers, and it did not cause bewilderment of those representatives of the government with whom we met and worked." "The government understands that its main task is to accelerate reforms," ​​said the head of the IMF mission. The Fund considers administrative reform, civil service reform and reform of natural monopolies for Russia. In addition, Tessen noted the importance of reforming health and education. "These reforms increase the effectiveness of government spending, in addition, improving the situation with health care and education in the long run will increase economic growth," he said.

At the same time, the head of the IMF mission emphasized that the majority of reform areas are "on the agenda of the government, which takes into account the long -term perspective." "I do not know a single direction where we considered it necessary to carry out reforms, and the government would not have a clear program of actions," the expert said.

In addition, according to RIA Novosti , Thomsen also noted a decrease in investment in Russia. Like other experts, Tessen noted that the case of Yukos had an influence on the investment climate in Russia, including the influence. “This case, correct or incorrect, fair or unfair, indicates an ever -increasing intervention by individual authorities, as well as the clums of the behavior of some structures,” the economist said.

Now, according to him, the priority for the government should be "filing a positive signal to the states on the acceleration of structural reforms, as well as the statement that the regulations will be carried out impartially and objectively."

At the same time, Tombsen noted that in the last three to four years, Russia's macroeconomic policy has been carried out quite successfully, and that which managed to avoid strengthening the ruble, despite the budget surplus, is a good achievement.

Tombsen recommended that the Government of the Russian Federation refrain from further weakening of tax and budget policy, which could harm economic growth in the long term, accelerate inflationary pressure and help strengthen the ruble. “That weakening of the tax and budget policy, which is now, is aimed at raising salaries and pensions,” said the head of the IMF mission in Russia. “These expenses will not lead to a potential increase in economic growth and ... harm growth in the long term.”

Thomsen called on the Russian government to prevent a significant weakening of tax-budget policy, explaining this to the danger of accelerating inflation. “A significant weakening of tax -budget policy will lead to an increase in inflationary pressure, and as a result - to an increase in imports,” said the head of the IMF mission.

The IMF mission completed its work in Moscow on Thursday.