IMF HAS GOOD NEWS FOR RUSSIA.

In another welcome economic development for the Russian government, the IMF decided on December 13 to disburse the $336 million October tranche of its extended loan to Russia. The IMF said the decision was taken because Russia had improved its tax collection procedures. The Fund did not however say when or whether the November and December tranches would be paid. An IMF delegation has arrived in Moscow to monitor the fulfillment of the program in November and the first half of December. (Interfax, December 14)

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