IMF Mission Discusses Financial and Economic Reform Files with Lebanese Ministry of Finance

Beirut, September 15 (KUNA) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission today opened its meetings in Lebanon with the Ministry of Finance, discussing reform, financial, and economic files related to financial stability and restoring confidence in the Lebanese economy. The Ministry of Finance stated in a press release that the meeting was attended by Minister of Finance Yassin Jaber, Minister of Economy and Trade Amer al-Bassit, representatives of the Presidency of the Republic and the Government, the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Ernesto Riggo, Head of the IMF Mission to Lebanon, Yahya Saeed, the IMF Resident Representative in Lebanon, and the mission team. The release noted that the meeting discussed the medium-term fiscal framework and its linkage to the budget, alongside developing a medium-term revenue strategy and working to increase revenues by improving tax collection and enhancing tax compliance. It added that the meeting also addressed collection measures and reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Finance or those under preparation, which are expected to contribute to boosting revenues, improving tax administration, and narrowing collection gaps. The participants also reviewed the banking sector, the progress achieved with the issuance of the law on reform and restructuring of banks, and the steps that need to be completed in the banking reform process, as well as developments related to the law on addressing the fiscal gap, aimed at resolving the legacy of the financial crisis and rebuilding a sound, resilient banking sector capable of resuming its role in financing the economy. (End) A.Y.B. / A.M.H.