ANKARA - Experts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) began on Monday post-program talks in Turkey.
An IMF delegation, headed by Turkey Mission Chief Lorenzo Giorgianni, began their talks with Turkish officials at the Treasury Undersecretariat in capital Ankara within the scope of post-economic program monitoring.
The delegation also includes Rachel van Elkan, who will take over the mandate from Giorgianni soon.
Executives of the Treasury Undersecretariat, Central Bank, Finance Ministry and other economic institutions will brief IMF experts on recent economic developments and the draft budget of 2009.
The IMF delegation is expected to stay in Turkey for about a month since they will focus on comprehensive and detailed issues.
The delegation will only work on post-program monitoring this week, and is to focus on detailed technical studies on a potential "precautionary stand-by" deal in the rest of their stay in Turkey.
Turkish authorities and IMF experts will discuss a report, Turkey has prepared since August, and IMF`s views. The IMF delegation is expected to get information about medium-term targets.
If Turkey makes a final decision, Turkey and IMF delegation will prepare a report, which will be presented to the Fund management.
Lorenzo Giorgianni has been the head of the IMF Turkey Mission for more than three years. His successor Rachel Van Elken will have the opportunity to meet economy bureaucrats in Turkey during this visit.
When Elken will take over the mandate is not immediately clear.
One of experienced economists of the IMF, Rachel Van Elken is known for her expertise to European Union (EU) transition and adjustment processes, banking and economic growth.
Elken has undertaken an active role in the EU transition periods of Eastern and Central European countries.
Economy experts think that Elken may contribute to Turkey as she knows well about the EU process and Turkish economy.
(BRC-CE)
(ECO)