Press Release No. 08/109

Press Release No. 08/109

Mr. Mario Garza, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) resident representative in Tegucigalpa, issued the following statement today:

"At the request of the authorities, an IMF staff team will visit Honduras during May 13-20. The staff team and the authorities will examine the implementation of the Government's program for 2008 supported by the Stand-By arrangement with the IMF; assess the impact on the economy of weakening external conditions, including higher fuel and food prices; and discuss policy responses to the emerging risks with a view to preserve the goals of the program. The staff team will also discuss the authorities' agenda to strengthen medium-term prospects for growth and poverty reduction.

"As is customary, the resident representative office will issue a statement on the main conclusions of the mission."