Jihad Azzour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund, resumed international activity related to his position with a visit to Armenia, where he met with both President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. They discussed the economic and general situations in Armenia and the region, according to Armenian news agencies. Azzour also held talks with central bank governors from Central Asia and the Caucasus during his participation in Yerevan's celebration of the 30th anniversary of its currency (the dram) following its independence from the former Soviet Union.
The Armenian Prime Minister's website reported that Azzour and his accompanying delegation discussed with Pashinyan "the structural economic changes in Armenia and the steps and measures taken in areas such as combating corruption, judicial reforms, public administration, improving the investment climate, infrastructure development, and more." Pashinyan emphasized the importance of cooperation between the IMF and the Armenian government, considering it "contributes to advancing the ambitious reform program and economic activity in Armenia," while affirming "the effectiveness of cooperation between the Armenian central bank and the IMF."
Additionally, the site noted that Azzour confirmed during the meeting that the IMF "is ready to provide more support to the Armenian government (...) in its successful implementation of reforms and programs aimed at economic progress." On another note, Azzour will participate as a keynote speaker in the annual meeting of the Council of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Institutions on September 17 in Algeria. The following day, Azzour will chair the joint annual seminar held by the International Monetary Fund and the Arab Monetary Fund.
