​(Communicated by the BOI Spokesperson)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual delegation today began its discussions in Israel.  This delegation is being led by Craig Beaumont, and includes economists Aiko Mineshima, Peichu Xie, Nan Geng As every year, the delegation will hold consultations with leaders of the economy in both the public and private sectors.  The delegation will meet with Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon, Ministry of Finance Director General Mr. Shai Babad and senior officials from his ministry, and with Bank of Israel Governor Dr. Karnit Flug and senior officials from the Bank of Israel. In addition, the delegation will hold meetings with senior officials from various government ministries, commercial banks, the Manufacturers Association, the Histadrut, academics and others.

Upon the completion of its visit to Israel on February 8, the delegation will submit a preliminary report to the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Israel.  The detailed annual report will be written afterwards in Washington, and will be submitted for discussion of the IMF’s Executive Board, as customary for every member country of the IMF.

The IMF’s reports are widely distributed and generate great interest in the global financial markets, and are influential in rating the reviewed economies and on recommendations of global investment banks regarding investment in the Israeli economy.