DUSHANBE, February 2, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) mission will arrive in Dushanbe on February 5 to discuss with the Tajik government prognosis of Tajikistan’s macroeconomic indices for2009, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT).

The sides will also discuss the country’s budget for 2009 and assess sensitivity of Tajik banking system, the source at a MoEDT said.

In the meantime, Economic Development and Trade Minister Ghulomjon Bobozoda told reporters in Dushanbe last week that macroeconomic prognosis prepared by the IMF and prognosis made by the MoEDT differed.  “During two weeks, we will compare the indices with each other in order to come to a common conclusion,” said the minister, “this experts from the Fund expect economic growth to rise not more than 5 percent this year and inflation will stand at 18 percent by the end of the year, while, according to our prognosis, the country’s economic growth will rise 7 percent and inflation will stand at some 13 percent.”

As it had been reported earlier, Tajik central bank head Sharif Rahimzoda revealed in late January that the IMF team is expected in Dushanbe in early February and a $150 million could be disbursed as early as March.