Ukraine is deliberately rejecting part of its economic independence by involving foreign experts to draft its state budget for 2010, according to Serhiy Tihipko, a politician and ex-governor of the National Bank of Ukraine.
He was commenting on the government's plans to involve experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to draft and analyze the state budget for next year, Tihipko's press service reported.
He said that the government had decided to invite IMF experts to increase its chances to get the fourth tranche of the IMF's loan early in September.
"The International Monetary Fund wants to control the fulfillment of its demands at the stage of planning state finances. The IMF apparently has serious fears about Ukraine's ability to meet its commitments on tackling the economic crisis," Tihipko said.
"Of course, the IMF is Ukraine's biggest creditor. But it's quite enough that we have accepted its demands and are following them. In business, creditors are admitted to financial planning only if a company is at the stage of pre-bankruptcy or bankruptcy. Ukraine is far from being a bankrupt," he said.
Tihipko said that the government could use the services of experts, including international specialists, but the drafting of the budget was its exclusive right and duty.
As reported, well-known banker Serhiy Tihipko has announced his plans to run for the presidency.
