Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fischer met today with the delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is making its annual visit to Israel to prepare its report summarizing the country's economy in 2009.
The delegation comprises four economists, and is headed by Peter Doyle, a unit director in the IMF's European Department.
The delegation also met today with Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz. At the meeting Steinitz said, "Israel is in the process of economic recovery but it is still a long way back to significant growth. Therefore, the major thinking is about budgetary restraint and operating on the lines of a reduced deficit."
Steinitz added, "The IMF delegation stressed that this year they have not only come to teach us but also learn from us, to learn how Israel has successfully coped with the crisis."
The IMF delegation will also meet with Ministry of Finance director general Haim Shani and the ministry's department heads as well as Histadrut, General Federation of Labor Head Ofer Eini, Manufacturers Association of Israel President Shraga Brosh, the members of the Knesset Finance Committee, and representatives of the banks, financial institutions and academia.
The delegation will remain in the country until December 14 and present Fischer and Steinitz with a preliminary report before departing. The detailed annual report on Israel's economy will be written on their return to Washington, and submitted to the IMF's executive committee.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 1, 2009
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