Azerbaijan discusses fiscal reforms and investment cooperation with IMF and ADB

Azerbaijan has held a series of meetings with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international financial institutions to discuss fiscal reforms, economic diversification and future investment cooperation. According to the Ministry of Finance, First Deputy Finance Minister Anar Karimov held the discussions on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand.

Karimov met separately with Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department, and Rodrigo Valdés, Director of its Fiscal Affairs Department. The talks focused on the results of Azerbaijan's 2026 Article IV consultations, the country's macroeconomic and fiscal priorities and structural reforms planned for the medium term. Karimov emphasised that macroeconomic stability, economic diversification and a stronger non-oil sector remain central priorities.

The meetings also covered digitalisation of public financial management, budget efficiency and results-based budgeting. Karimov reaffirmed Azerbaijan's long-standing relationship with the ADB and met Ziya Aliyev, Vice President for Banking Operations at the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB).