YANGON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) Myanmar and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will strengthen cooperation in the prior's financial reform, official sources said Monday.
It was discussed by Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde during the latter's first visit to Myanmar over the weekend.
Their discussion covered IMF assistance in reform process of banking system, financial sector and monetary policy in Myanmar.
Lagarde reiterated the international institution's continued support to Myanmar in terms of policy advice, technical assistance and training.
"In addition to our many teams working to support Myanmar based in IMF Headquarters and periodically visiting the country, we have a resident representative in Myanmar and are building a team of resident technical experts to be on call to help the authorities as they develop their institutions," Christine Lagarde said.
"We also have an office in Bangkok with a number of experts largely dedicated in supporting Myanmar," she said, assuring that the fund will never stop working with Myanmar.
Lagarde said "The IMF is a long-term partner looking forward to supporting the country's bold and exciting economic and political transition".
During her visit, Lagarde also met with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and delivered a speech at the Yangon University of Economics.
Moreover, she attended the World Women Forum in Yangon, organized by the Embassy of France.
IMF predicted Myanmar's economy to grow 6.75 percent in the 2013-14 fiscal year, driven by natural gas, sale and investment as Myanmar takes steps to reform its financial system.
The IMF has assisted Myanmar in implementing its policies in coordination with other development partners to ensure macroeconomic stability and strengthen reform under the Staff Monitored Program (SMP). The IMF has also helped Myanmar in coordination with international creditor countries in reducing Myanmar international debt.
In January this year, Myanmar could reduce international debt of over 6 billion U.S. dollars including that with Norway and Japan after successfully coordinating with major creditor countries of the Paris Club in January.
Myanmar claimed on Jan. 30 clearing of its debt of 502.457 billion yens (over 5 billion dollars) owed to Japan and settlement of 512 million dollars' debt owed to the Asian Development Bank ( ADB) and 430 million dollars owed to the World Bank.
Lagarde's visit represented the final leg of her Asian tour, which had taken her to Cambodia and South Korea./.