Finance Minister Aims for IMF Deal by June, Pushes Privatization and Capital Markets Growth

• Finance minister hopes to reach IMF deal by end of June, will lead delegation to Washington in mid-April for negotiations • IMF has been "very receptive" to potential "larger, longer programme" • Reports good progress on privatizing PIA, outsourcing airports, aims for completion by July • Encourages developing equity and debt markets to fund infrastructure projects, reduce overreliance on banks • Cites strong agricultural sector outlook for 2024, need to plug revenue leaks and resolve tax litigation backlog