Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan's State Customs Committee (SCC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussed the current state of cooperation and its prospects, the SCC reported on November 13.

According to the report, the exchange of views took place during a meeting between Chairman of SCC Aydin Aliyev and Head of the IMF mission to Azerbaijan Raja Almarzoqi.

Aydin Aliyev informed guests about the history of the customs service, the current achievements and future tasks. He added that the 6th International Forum, which will be dedicated to trade support in the Silk Road countries and the role of the customs authorities to facilitate this support, will be held in Azerbaijan's Gabala city on November 14.

The head of the IMF mission in Azerbaijan, in turn, welcomed the versatile development of the country. According to Almarzoqi, International Monetary Fund attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan. He also appreciated reforms carried out in the field of customs in recent years.

During the meeting the sides discussed the latest trends in the field of customs cooperation, forecasts and estimates for 2014-2015, as well as the current state of the process of Azerbaijan's membership in the WTO and other issues of mutual interest.

Azerbaijan has cooperated with the IMF since September 18, 1992. Until now, the IMF loans have been allocated to Azerbaijan within six programs, but since 2005, cooperation with the IMF has been at the level of consultation, as the Azerbaijani government has refused to receive loans from the fund.

Such issues as the development of industry in the country, the privatization of state-owned banks, ensuring the rational use of oil revenues, solving problems with provision of water and energy and the need for reforms in these systems, as well as reforms in government, and other areas are priorities in the negotiations between Azerbaijan and the IMF.