The Finance Ministry of Ukraine has completed discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the main parameters of a draft state budget for 2021, which was one of the main prerequisites for starting the first revision of the IMF Stand-by Program, setting up the mission date of the IMF European Department and receiving another tranche.
“The main focus of the discussions was on developing a common vision of the main budget parameters within the current program between Ukraine and the IMF - the revenues, the expenditures and the deficit indicator,” reads a report posted on the ministry’s website.
The Finance Ministry held daily consultations with the IMF experts on the possibilities of financing the deficit and priority budget expenditures in 2021.
The parameters of the 2021 budget coincide with the estimates of the IMF experts, which was important for the continuation of successful cooperation between Ukraine and the IMF.
As reported by Ukrinform, the Verkhovna Rada supported the bill on Ukraine's state budget for 2021 at first reading. The document envisages GDP growth at 4.6% and consumer inflation at 7.3%. The level of public debt to GDP is set at 64.6%. The average annual U.S. dollar exchange rate for 2021 is projected at UAH 29.1 per U.S. dollar.