The NEWS (Monrovia)
Jimmey C. Fahngon
29 April 2008
Monrovia — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday held a one-day seminar for members of the National Legislature at Cape Hotel in Mamba Point.
The seminar was organized to broaden the understanding of legislators on the role of the IMF in Liberia and other policy issues of the fund.
IMF Resident Representative in Liberia Michael Tharkur said the seminar would provide an opportunity to build support and broaden ownership for sound macroeconomic policy in Liberia.
He also said the seminar would help to improve IMF's role in Liberia.
Mr. Tharkur told the lawmakers that the seminar would further provide accurate and an up-to-date information about IMF, its operations, among others.
Finance Minister Dr. Antoinette Sayeh who also spoke at the one-day gathering said the seminar was timely because it gives key stakeholders the opportunity to learn more about the IMF, adding "it is also quite timely for Liberia as the country enters a new stage in its relationship with the fund."
She observed that there has often been misunderstanding of the IMF's policies around the world, but said it was only through dialogues those misconceptions can be changed.
The Minister said, "in the past several months, we have worked to improve our dialogue and engagement with the legislature; we have been most grateful for your keen interest in that dialogue including the poverty reduction strategy; for our reforms to be successful, we will need your continued partnership."
For his part, House Speaker J. Alex Tyler assured IMF of the legislature's support and cooperation to improve Liberia's economy.
Speaker Tyler recalled that a two-year policy performance track record program organized by IMF has been instrumental in securing funds from donors to clear Liberia's arrears; "today, Liberia's rights to borrow has been reinstated."
He said the legislature would not hesitate to enact the necessary laws that would help provide smooth operation of IMF in Liberia.
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