By editor on in Industry, Investment, Politics
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will head to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday at the official invitation of the authorities of the two central Asian countries.
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi, Zarif will meet with high-ranking Tajik officials in Dushanbe.
While in Uzbekistan, he added, FM Zarif will hold talks with the country’s officials and attend the International Conference on Security and Sustainable Development in Central Asia.
The conference will be attended by international and regional officials and figures, Qassemi noted.
(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
New Career Opportunities in Iran
Europe’s Efforts to Facilitate Banking Ties with Iran “Not Sufficient”
Tags: featured, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
By editor on in Agriculture, Employment
By John Lee.
The United Nations has advertised new jobs in Iran:
- Assistant Wheat Breeder/Assistant Agronomist, CIMMYT – International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
- Hub Manager, CIMMYT – International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
- Wheat Breeder, CIMMYT – International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
- Regional Platforms Manager, CIMMYT – International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
(Source: UN)
(Picture credit: Amir1140)
Iran Market Great without American Rivals: Europe Firm
Iran’s FM to Travel to Central Asia on Wednesday
Tags: featured, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Jobs in Iran
TEHRAN- Iran’s exports of foodstuffs during the first half of the present Iranian calendar year (March 21- September 22, 2017) increased 12 percent in comparison with the same period in the year preceding, IRNA quoted the board chairman of Food Producers Cooperative as saying on Tuesday.
According to Mehdi Karimi Tafreshi, Iran’s exports of foodstuff to Central Asia, Russia, Qatar, and Iraq increased 19 percent for dairy products, 14 percent for dried fruits, 10 percent for confectionaries and canned products, 9 percent for flavor enhancers and similar products, 7 percent for vegetable oils, and 5 percent for other foodstuff.
“Iran exports about $2.5 billion of foodstuff each year and the figure can be doubled in future,” he added.
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TEHRAN- Iran boosted its crude oil prices for Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean, and Sidi Kerir in December, a source with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday.
The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) raised the price for Iranian light crude to Northwest Europe by 90 cents from the previous month to $1.75 a barrel below Brent Wave, the source said, Reuters reported.
NIOC has yet to release December prices for Asia.
Iran has been regaining market share at a faster pace than analysts had projected since sanctions were lifted.
The OPEC producer aims to raise its output capacity to 4.7 million bpd by 2021, Amir-Hossein Zamaninia, Iran's deputy oil minister for trade and international affairs, said last month.
MA
TEHRAN – Iranian heavy crude oil price hit the record high $60.15 per barrel on Tuesday following the recent price surge in the oil market, IRNA reported.
The price rose by $2.45 per barrel or 4.2 percent to push Iranian crude price once again into the $60 range after two years.
According to Reuters, oil prices surged to their highest levels since the summer of 2015 in last few days as a major political shakeup in Saudi Arabia underpinned a rally fueled by geopolitical risk.
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TEHRAN – An Iranian trade delegation is due to visit Belgium on November 29 and 30 to present Iranian investment projects for Belgian counterparts, IRIB reported on Tuesday quoting chairman of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) as saying.
Masoud Khansari said the delegation will introduce 15 investment projects in Iran’s energy and mining sectors to the European investors.
Khansari made the remarks in a meeting with René Branders, the president of Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce, in Tehran.
The official further stressed the role of chambers of commerce in improving mutual trade relations between the two countries and in attracting foreign investment.
He also mentioned some of the hurdles that investors are facing for trade, saying, “Solving banking problems and easing visa issuance could facilitate the trade for businessmen and investors.”
Branders for his part welcomed the exchange of trade delegations saying that Belgian chambers of commerce are ready to receive Iranian business partners.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Belgian official stressed the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and called for expansion of trade relations with an especial focus on SMEs.
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TEHRAN- European Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan will enter Tehran on Friday on the head of a high-ranking delegation.
The delegation comprises 70 members including some officials from Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission as well as representatives of some renowned companies from different European countries, the portal of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) quoted Kaveh Zargaran, the chairman of TCCIMA’s Committee for Agriculture, Water and Food Industries, as saying.
The delegates are scheduled to discuss possible spheres of cooperation in joint investment, exports and imports, transfer of technology, and training courses with the Iranian sides in an Economic Forum to be hosted by TCCIMA’s Committee for Agriculture, Water and Food Industries on Saturday, November 11, Zargaran announced.
He said visiting a number of food production, animal husbandry and greenhouse units as well as some chain stores on Sunday has been planned for the delegates in order to make them acquainted with Iran’s capabilities in these fields.
Underlining the tendency of European Commission’s member states to broaden ties with Iran in agriculture and food sectors, the TCCIMA chairman noted that such willingness is a result of Iran’s nuclear deal known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
MA
TEHRAN- India plans to send seven shipments of wheat to Afghanistan through Iran’s southeastern Chabahar Port by the end of January, Reuters reported.
India launched a trade route to Afghanistan via Iran through shipping its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan on October 29, bypassing longtime rival Pakistan.
New Delhi is in talks with Tehran to begin interim operations at the port.
India has committed $500 million to Chabahar Port development as a way to bypass rival Pakistan and crack open a trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan, as well as the resource-rich countries of central Asia.
India is expanding its economic diplomacy in Afghanistan, seeing itself as a regional power.
The shipments are meant to demonstrate the route’s viability, officials said, and the plan is to broaden the cargo flow before the port is fully operational by the end of next year.
“Things are moving quite well and as planned,” Saurabh Kumar, Indian ambassador to Iran, said in an email.
India has framed its involvement in Chabahar’s development as primarily about establishing a gateway to Afghanistan, more than Iran itself, Indian officials and a Western diplomatic source said.
MA
TEHRAN - Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) and Russia’s energy giant Gazprom signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cooperation in energy projects.
According to IDRO portal, the MOU was signed by IDRO’s Chairman Mansour Moazami, and Vitaly Markelov, Gazprom’s deputy chairman of the management committee, in Tehran on Sunday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Moazami mentioned IDRO’s long history in energy and industry areas especially in executing South Pars energy projects and called the MOU “an opportunity” for expansion of mutual cooperation in oil, gas and energy sectors.
“We are ready for cooperation in all areas,” he said.
According to the official, implementing the MOU could result in many positive outcomes for the involved parties and for the region.
Markelov for his part stressed his company’s rich background in energy sector, saying that Gazprom is currently contributing to energy projects in 26 different countries worldwide.
He further expressed satisfaction with the MOU and called for expansion of cooperation with Iran in the country’s energy projects.
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PHOTO: IDRO’s Chairman Mansour Moazami (R) and Gazprom’s Deputy Chairman Vitaly Markelov exchanging MOU documents
TEHRAN- Iranian Deputy Industry Minister Reza Rahmani said the Industry Ministry plans to set up 6,000 new industrial units creating 50,000 jobs in the country by the end of current Iranian calendar year (march 20, 2018), IRNA reported.
Mentioning production flourishing one of the main policies of Resistance Economy, the official announced that some 50 national plans have been specified in the ministry that implementing them will create over 13,000 new job opportunities.
MA
TEHRAN- Iran Transportation and Logistics Forum was held at IRIB International Conference Center in Tehran on November 5 and 6, IRNA reported.
Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi, Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) Chairman Masoud Khansari, and European Logistics Association President Paolo Bisogni were among speakers in the inaugural ceremony of the event.
Addressing the forum, Akhoundi said putting emphasis on competitive advantage is one of the main policies of his ministry.
MA
TEHRAN- Iran and Switzerland are opening new avenues for developing easier banking transactions, Iranian Deputy Finance Minister Mohammad Khazaei told reporters after his Sunday meeting with Switzerland’s Vaud Economics Minister Philippe Leuba in Tehran, Shada news agency reported.
Khazaei, who is also the managing director of Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI), explained that during this meeting the two sides discussed new easier banking solutions for financing Iranian projects as well.
“We also discussed funding investment projects and their insurance coverage by European companies in Iran,” he added.
As he continued, the two ministers also conferred on expansion of cooperation particularly in areas of biotechnology, information technology (IT), agriculture technologies and transportation. Khazaei expressed hope that cooperation in some of the named areas will be materialized within a month.
For his part, Leuba, told reports that “during our visit to Iran, we held some fruitful meetings with Iranian companies in order to expand economic cooperation and believe that the ground is set for boosting bilateral economic and industrial ties with Iran.”
HJ/MA
PHOTO: Switzerland’s Vaud Economics Minister Philippe Leuba (L) and Iranian Deputy Finance Minister Mohammad Khazaei
TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (MNA) – Director of Business France office in Tehran, Romain Keraval, said all French firms were pioneers in their fields of specialty and could transfer state-of-the-art technologies to Iran.
The official made the remarks at the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iranian Association of Water and Wastewater Experts (IAWWE) and French Water Partnership (FWP).
Keraval noted that FWP comprised 700 firms active in water management and wastewater treatment fields, saying “the association has managed to launch cooperation with Iran in similar areas though the newly-inked MoU can further fortify relations.”
“All French companies are leading firms in their own specialties and possess modern technologies for water, water transport and wastewater treatment,” underlined the official asserting that French parties were eager to make presence in Iran and expressed hope that the cooperation agreement would pave the path for more water collaboration between Tehran and Paris.
Director of Business France office in Tehran said French Development Agency, as an international body, had invited the Iranian Association of Water and Wastewater Experts to visit France in the year 2018 in line with its resolve to bolster bilateral ties with world countries.
Later at the meeting, Managing Director of Iran's National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company, Hamidreza Janbaz, stressed that French companies had an active presence in Iran’s water sector stating “private sector of Iran has established relations with the world’s credible companies which prepares the ground for joint cooperation.”
He went on to add that his company would support Iranian firms’ participation in domestic and foreign markets; “French firms have been active in Iran over the past 40 years though international sanctions loosened bilateral ties to some extent," he added.
Janbaz underscored that the Islamic Republic of Iran backed the joint MoU and expressed hope that Iran’s relations will develop with international companies active in water and wastewater fields in a systematic way.
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TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (MNA) – Norwegian company Saga Energy has signed a 2.5 billion-euro contract to build solar power plants in Iran, the company said on Tuesday.
The deal was signed just a few days after US President Donald Trump revealed a hostile policy toward Tehran.
Since the lifting of international sanctions on Iran in 2016, foreign companies have shown interest in doing business with the country, sealing several deal the latest of which is Saga’s preliminary agreement with Iran’s state-owned Amin Energy Developers.
According to Reuters, the deal, which still requires finalizing economic guarantees from Iran, entails the construction of 2 gigawatts of power generation capacity over four to five years, Saga Energy Spokesperson Rune Haaland said.
On Friday, Trump announced that he would decertify the 2015 nuclear agreement reached under his predecessor, Barack Obama, leaving its fate to the US Congress which might try to modify it or bring back sanctions previously imposed on Iran.
“We are a little bit worried about what Trump is doing, we are very much in favor of the atomic deal, but we will of course continue with our plans whatever Trump does, no doubt about that, nothing can change that,” Saga’s Haaland stressed.
ZG
TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (MNA) – Brazil’s Minister of Finance, at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Washington DC, welcomed the idea of opening branches of Iranian banks in his country.
On the sidelines of the 2017 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group in Washington DC, Iranians Minister of Economy Masoud Karbasian met and talked with Henrique Meirelles, the Brazilian Finance Minister.
At the meeting, Karbasian described the latest economic status of the country and, while referring to capabilities of both sides in various industrial, agricultural and trade sectors, called for fortifying existing relations.
Given that his ministry is in charge of the Joint Economic Commission between Tehran and Brasilia, Masoud Karbasian emphasized the need to exploit opportunities in areas of agriculture and transportation.
Iran’s economy minister referred to recent talks between Central Bank of Iran and Brazilian banks which led to establishment of broker relations and called for opening of branches for Iranian banks in the South American country.
Also at the meeting, Brazil’s finance minister stressed the need to boost economic relations between the two countries and, while voicing satisfaction towards recent developments, welcomed the initiative to launch branches of Iranian banks in his country.
Henrique Meirelles also called for cooperation over investment in agricultural arenas and rejoiced to say that talks between Brazilian firms and Iranian counterparts had been successful.
The official voiced his country’s willingness to supply Iran’s demands in the aviation sector and voiced optimism that existing barriers will be eliminated.
The two sides also agreed to hold a meeting of Iran-Brazil Joint Economic Commission within three months in Tehran.
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Oil min.:
TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (MNA) – Iranian Oil Minister, while referring to Uzbekistan’s willingness to buy crude oil from Iran, said relevant negotiations will be pursued with the Central Asian country.
Following a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Kamilov, on Tuesday, Iran’s Bijan Zanganeh stated that Uzbeks were after purchasing crude oil from Iran and a high-ranking oil delegation would conduct talks with Iranian counterparts.
“Given the restricted figure of crude output in Uzbekistan, the Central Asian country needs to import the strategic product,” he added.
Zanganeh however noted that method of oil exports to Uzbekistan had to be well analyzed; “they have no access to the sea and all exports need to be done via land or rail.”
He stressed that further negotiations would be carried out and urged the Uzbek side to investigate venues for oil imports from Iran. Iran’s petroleum minister later underlined that Iran was basically in favor of crude sales to Uzbekistan since it marked an appropriate measure for development and consolidation of relations between the two countries.
Having Tashkent as its capital, Uzbekistan is a Central Asian nation neighboring countries like Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan’s national gas company, with an annual output of 60 to 70 billion cubic meters, remains the world’s 11th largest gas producer. The country also possesses substantial untouched oil and gas reserves.
The Uzbek FM, who landed in Tehran on Monday, has met and talked with top-ranking Iranian officials and his visit has been described as a seminal one by political analysts.
One expert believes that Abdulaziz Kamilov’s visit is important because Uzbekistan is situated in the heart of Central Asia, and holds strategic and geopolitical momentousness.
The visit of the high-ranking Uzbek official to Tehran has been also said to be in line with economic interests of the two countries.
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TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (MNA) – A meeting between Iranian economy minister and his Indonesia counterpart stressed the need to elevate relations and develop bilateral cooperation.
On the sidelines of the 2017 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group in Washington DC, Iranians Minister of Economy Masoud Karbasian met and talked with Sri Mulyani, the Indonesian Finance Minister.
At the meeting, which was attended by all members of the two delegations, discussed and exchanged views on latest status of the two countries’ economies.
The Indonesian side, while referring to friendly ties between the two states, invited Iran’s Karbasian to take part at the next World Bank Summit to be held in Indonesia. She also emphasized the need to bolster collaboration between the two countries and voiced readiness to further elevate bilateral relations.
Sri Mulyani also called for stronger cooperation between Iran and Indonesia at international arenas.
Masoud Karbasian, for his part, reviews economic achievements of Iran in recent years and, while stressing the benefits of Resistance Economy as proposed by the Iranian Leader, said expansion of relations with Islamic countries remained a top priority for Iran and voiced the country’s readiness to further develop trade, economic and investment accords with Indonesia.
He further noted that boosting banking ties between Tehran and Jakarta marked a major factor in preparing grounds for stronger relations.
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Zanganeh:
TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (MNA) – Iran’s oil minister stated that Iran does not prevent American companies from doing business in the country; rather it is Trump who creates the obstacles.
Iran’s Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zanganeh questioned Trump asking why he is concerned that Europeans take money from Iran and why he does not allow American companies to benefit from Iran.
Zanganeh made the remarks Tue. speaking to the reporters following his meeting with South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi, adding that Trump prevents American companies to enter Iran’s market, they are not blocked by Iran.
“We are prepared to negotiate with American corporations on developing petroleum and gas resources. Mr. Trump does not need to feel so concerned about this.” The Iranian official stated.
Referring to his meeting with Korean Minister, Zanganeh added that they discussed petroleum and gas condensate exports and the challenges of cash transfer.
It was decided that Korea’s infrastructure minister report the issue to the finance minister of the country. In addition, a delegation from Iran will travel to Korea in order to resolve the issue.
Iran’s oil export to South Korea is about 120000 barrels per day which includes gas condensate as well. If the problem of cash transfer isn’t solved, Iran will be forced to reduces it oil exports to Korea and consider another country.
Korea does not have any debts, the problem lies in paying foreign currency, Zanganeh stated, adding “Some of the money is paid in Euro, and some in Korean national currency, but we prefer Euro to comprise the bigger share.”
The two officials also discussed the participation of Korean companies in Iran’s market who were active in the past, and are now willing to continue their cooperation.
As stated by Iranian minister, Korean government has allocated a line of credit worth 20 billion dollars, financing Korean companies to partake in Iran’s market.
Zanganeh further negotiated on LNG and investments on petroleum and petrochemical programs. Koreans also take part in refinement projects. They are currently cooperating in Isfahan Refinery Complex.
Kim Hyun-mi, the South Korean minister has traveled to Tehran to attend UNESCO's Strategic Partnership Meeting.
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Akhundi:
TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (MNA) – Iran’s Akhundi said Ministry of Roads and Urban Development will form a joint committee with the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) on November 15.
The Iranian roads minister made the remarks at a joint press conference with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Hyun-mee.
Abbas Akhundi said Korea’s MOLIT held various structural similarities with the Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development since both bodies where simultaneously in charge of transportation and accommodation.
“At a joint meeting, agreements were reached between Tehran and Seoul in various areas like rail, air and land transportation and the two sides also agreed to establish a joint committee to made speed up the decision-making process,” he underlined.
He pointed to talks on transportation and urban planning adding “in rail arenas, negotiations were held over construction of Isfahan-Ahwaz railroad, purchase of railbuses and investment in Iranian airports.”
“Views were also exchanged over construction of smart cities,” underlined Abbas Akhundi.
The Iranian minister of roads and urban development recalled that the joint committee between the two ministries will be formed prior to the meeting on Joint Economic Commission slated for November 15.
Later at the session, Kim Hyun-mee of South Korea voiced satisfaction towards her meeting with Iran’s roads minister and stressed that Korean firms had played a major role in the Iranian economy.
Touching upon the conducted talks on urban development, infrastructure, transit and logistics, the visiting official reiterated that an operational committee with be formed at vice-minister level and called for support of the Iranian nation and government for continuation of collaborations.
“The meeting of the joint commission and the joint committee in November is expected to mull over dimensions of investment in Iran,” Hyun-mee concluded.
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TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (MNA) – In line with one of the IME’s main strategies as ‘Developing IME’s activities to enhance the country's trading with international markets’, IME launched its Arabic Website in a conference on trade between Iran and Iraq.
According to the report by the IME’s International Affairs and PR, the more active presence of Iran in the strategic and valuable market of Iraq has always been one of the most important issues among our public and private sector managers. In this regard, benefiting from exchanging various metals and mineral products, oil and petrochemicals, as well as agricultural products in domestic and export markets, IME has carried out its research into developing trade relations and using the capacity of financial markets to increase the trade volume and facilitation of the export of Iranian goods to Iraq.
In this regard, setting up a taskforce on IME to increase Iran's exports to Iraq, presence of a high-ranking delegation from IME to Iraq to investigate solutions to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, holding a meeting session between IME and Iran & Iraq Chamber of Commerce and negotiating with Iraqi officials to develop economic relations between the two countries using IME’s capacities are some of the recent measures taken by the IME.
Following on these events, today, as part of the conference on trade between Iran and Iraq, the largest gathering of economic activists and businessmen from the two countries, the Arabic website of IME was launched to provide services to Arab merchants and businessmen.
The Arabic website of IME, at http://ar.ime.co.ir, describes Iran Mercantile Exchange, its strategy, goals and services, and includes sections such as business calendar, commodity list, listing requirements, registration of the customers and steps to issue trading accounts, introducing active brokers, contracts and trading markets including the physical market, derivatives market, and side markets, as well as the news of this area.
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TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (MNA) – A financing agreement has been signed on Sun. between the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) and Export Insurance Agency of Russia (EXIAR).
In a meeting with EXIAR’s CEO Alexey Tyupanov, CBI's vice-governor for foreign exchange affairs, Ahmad Araghchi, called for expediting the process of financing joint projects between Iran and Russia, and expressed satisfaction with the positive conclusion of talks on finance agreements.
EXIAR’s CEO Alexey Tyupanov, for his part, expressed hope that various projects of Iran’s private and public sectors would soon be able to be financed by Russian banks, leading to further expansion of economic ties between the two countries.
During the meeting, the two sides reached an agreement on the general outlines of the conditions for finance, under which Iranian banks can receive financing from Russian banks for projects that have obtained domestic licenses. The finance to be received from Russian banks will be used in both private and public sectors and in various industries whose projects have been prioritized by relevant executive bodies.
Following the signing of this MoU, the general financing agreement will soon be signed and implemented between Russian and Iranian banks.
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TEHRAN, Oct. 15 (MNA) – The IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde dismissed the plea of US President Trump call for cutting ties with Iran, and reassured unchanged transactions with Iran.
Barely 24 hours after President Donald Trump called on the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to stop lending to Iran, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde firmly said no, writes John Gizzi of newsmax.com. She said that there was no change in its policy with regard to funds to Iran based on cues from the US.
Asked her response to Trump on Iran, Lagarde told reporters Saturday at the IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington that "we operate with 189 members and we only provide support and enter into program negotiations when a country asks for it."
She added that the IMF sees "no reason to change anything in the guidelines that we have received from [its] Board and [will] continue to operate in the same manner."
"Madame Lagarde handled this diplomatically," Pradeep Kapur, former Indian ambassador to Chile and a participant in the IMF/World Bank meetings, told the media, "She was recognizing that the US is still the IMF's largest stakeholder but that the IMF will still maintain its lending policy."
The response of the managing director was the latest in a string of recent exchanges between the Trump administration and the financial colossus.
Earlier this week, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney slammed IMF criticism of the president's plan for lowering tax rates by lumping it with skeptics who "are heavily invested in [lowering U.S. taxes] not working out."
On Friday, Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin called for the IMF to slim down its salaries and benefits.
"As a public institution — just like the member institutions it monitors and advises — the IMF should serve as a model on budget discipline and efficient use of limited resources," said Mnuchin, "Achieving this goal will necessarily entail tough choices, potentially with regard to management and staff salaries and benefits."
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