The team foresees that growth is expected to remain strong in 2018 but, amid still high public debt, several risks remain including changes in global commodity demand and bottlenecks at the border. The report highlights that all end-December quantitative performance criteria were met, generally by large margins. “Of the 10 structural benchmarks for the review, five were met, three (tax administration legislation and a recapitalization law) will likely be passed in the Spring parliamentary session and two are unlikely to be implemented. In addition, the authorities reversed three fiscal measures considered during previous reviews,” assessed the IMF staff team on the program implementation.

Heenam Choi, Executive Director for Mongolia, remarked “The EFF program, official sector support and a favorable external environment wahave supported a strong economic recovery in Mongolia. The authorities undertook extensive economic reforms that have strengthened macroeconomic fundamentals. As a result, the fiscal deficit and public debt are decreasing at a much faster pace than projected at the time the EFF was approved. Inflation is within the target range; the exchange rate has stabilized and foreign reserves have continued to rise.

The authorities’ commitment to the program objectives, fiscal discipline and prudent monetary policy have played a key role in the economic revival of the country.” He underlined that quantitative targets for the end of 2017 were exceeded by considerable margins. “Most structural benchmarks were either met or, in the case of the revised taxation laws and bank recapitalization law, will be implemented with a short delay. Some policy measures were revised after widespread public objection. The authorities are aware that there is no room for complacency. They are committed to pursuing a tight fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy, together with implementation of reforms under the program to strengthen macroeconomic stability, build buffers and promote inclusive growth,” concluded Mr Heenom Choi.