OREANDA-NEWS. October 16, 2009. A staff team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pays its annual visit to Estonia. The mission has scheduled meetings with representatives of the state and the public sector in order to discuss the country's economic policy situation, reported the press-centre of Eesti Pank.

In the course of the visit, the representatives of the International Monetary Fund receive an overview of the developments and outlooks of the Estonian economy, the financial sector situation and the development of the fiscal policy. In addition, the possibilities of joining the euro area and possible risks to the economic development are discussed.

The visit, which lasts for nearly a fortnight, includes IMF representatives' meetings with government and Riigikogu members, heads and analysts of Eesti Pank and the Financial Supervision Authority, as well as managers and economists of commercial banks and other enterprises, among others.

The outcome of the IMF staff visit will be presented by the head of the mission Christoph Rosenberg at a press conference held in Eesti Pank on 26 October from 12.00 to 13.00. The Minister of Finance Jurgen Ligi and Governor of Eesti Pank Andres Lipstok will also participate in the press conference. Please inform the Public Relations Office of Eesti Pank of the wish to make longer interviews by Thursday, October 22.

The International Monetary Fund discusses relevant economic policy issues with its member countries every year. The annual visit of the IMF staff (the so-called Article IV consultations) will be followed by a report of the IMF' economic policy assessments to Estonia.