Draft state budget fully consistent with IMF programme – Groysman

Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that the draft state budget for 2019, approved by the Ukrainian government for second reading, is consistent with the programme of cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He stated this in an interview with Reuters, the Government portal reports.

“This budget is a budget of stability and continuation of reforms. This is fully consistent with our IMF programme,” said Groysman.

He stressed the timely adoption of the budget, which may take place next plenary week, will enable Ukraine to continue the cooperation with the IMF and a unlock loans from the World Bank, the European Union, as well as the U.S. government regarding a new loan guarantee for sovereign debt.

Groysman added that when developing the draft state budget for second reading, the government did not agree on opposition parties' demands to reverse a recent increase in household gas tariffs. He explained that this issue had been on the agenda since 2008 and was Ukraine’s commitment to international partners.

"Populism led to the weakness of Ukraine. This should not be allowed," he said.

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