Tymoshenko ready to adjust budget to meet IMF requirements

Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said yesterday that she would adjust the 2009 budget to meet requirements of the IMF’s USD 16.4 bln standby loan agreement, under which Ukraine agreed to run a balanced budget this year. The Verkhovna Rada, on Dec. 26, approved a budget that projected a deficit of UAH 28.1 bln (2.8% of GDP, applying Concorde Capital’s GDP forecast). Tymoshenko said, “Should it be necessary, we will adjust the budget and other indicators.” She said that the main issue is the political possibility to pass the measures through parliament.