January 18, 2002

Press Statement

IMF Mission to Visit Angola in February

An IMF staff mission will visit Luanda during the first two weeks of February 2002 to complete the 2002 Article IV consultation discussions with Angola. The objective of these discussions, normally held once a year, is to allow the IMF to maintain a dialogue and provide advice to member countries on the national and international repercussions of their economic and financial policies. In this context, the mission will review recent economic developments, including budgetary and financial performance in 2001; the recently approved fiscal budget for 2002; and the status of the structural reform program. The mission will also continue the discussions held in January 2002 in Washington, at which time the authorities provided additional information on foreign debt transactions, oil revenue flows, and the external audit of the central bank. An IMF Executive Board meeting to conclude the 2002 Article IV consultation with Angola is expected in April 2002.