Press Release No. 07/285

Press Release: Statement by IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the Conclusion of his Visit to Argentina for the Inauguration of President Fernández de Kirchner

December 11, 2007

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), visited Argentina from December 9-11 on the occasion of the inauguration of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner as the President of the Republic of Argentina and issued the following statement:

"It is with great pleasure that I have come to Argentina, on my first visit to Latin America as the Fund's Managing Director, to attend the inauguration of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner as President. I have offered my warm congratulations to the new President, as she assumes the responsibilities of office. Her impressive electoral victory provides President Fernández de Kirchner with a mandate to further pursue growth and social equality in Argentina, goals I had the opportunity to discuss with the President and her economic team.

"Following the strong economic recovery of recent years, the challenge now is to continue to improve, in a lasting way, the living standards of all the Argentine people.

"I had the privilege to meet a number of heads of state from the region, and have a useful exchange of views on global and regional economic issues, as well as on the ongoing reform of the Fund. Overall, the region is weathering the current global environment well, with the current economic expansion now in its sixth year, also a testimony to improved fundamentals in many countries.

"As I leave Buenos Aires, I take the opportunity to wish President Fernández de Kirchner well, and offer our support in helping her government implement its economic development and social policies."