Zelensky counts on productive work by team of government and NBU
MOSCOW. Oct 11 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky introduced recently appointed Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Andrei Pyshny to NBU staff, adding that he expects to see productive work by the team of the NBU and the government and hopes that today's relations between Ukraine and international financial institutions will be maintained and their level will grow.
"I expect the new governor of the NBU together with the government to bring closer the signing of a new program with the International Monetary Fund," Ukrainian media said, citing Zelensky's statement circulate by his press service on Monday.
Pyshny, for his part, emphasized the importance of promoting the new quality of "relations, communications, mutual understanding and dialogue with the government," adding that the NBU will make every effort to achieve this goal.
"Building a new dialogue between the National Bank and the government will only help improve the quality and efficiency of all monetary measures being used by the National Bank to ensure price stability and the stability of the banking system and will facilitate programs that will be implemented by the government," the NBU press service quoted the new governor as saying.
Zelensky, in turn, thanked former NBU Governor Kirill Shevchenko and the bank's entire team for their painstaking work to maintain macro-economic stability in the country.
The new NBU governor has a record of work in the financial and banking sectors, the president said.
"It is very important for the NBU to have an atmosphere of stability and confidence," he said.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, for his part, reiterated the importance of maintaining financial stability in the country, adding that Ukraine is expecting to receive $1.3 billion of additional assistance from the International Monetary Fund soon.
It is important to revitalize the economy and intensify lending to the real sector of the economy, the prime minister said.
Pyshny also listed his priories in this post, which include maintaining macro-financial stability in Ukraine and the efficiency of its macro-economic policy, as well as holding constructive talks with international partners.
"Next year will not be easy. A total of $38 billion of financing is required. This is a joint matter for all governmental organizations on which we will be working," he said.
During his term as NBU governor, the bank will implement large-scale systemic reforms that Ukraine needs to speed up its integration into the European community, Pyshny said.
"I can assure you: as soon as we see the slightest possibility to restore the reform path that the National Bank has always pursued, we will continue it," he said.
The institutionally strong and independent National Bank is the state's achievement and resource, which serves as a guarantee of Ukraine's financial stability, Pyshny said.
As reported, the Verkhovna Rada appointed Pyshny, a former head of Oschadbank, as NBU governor for seven years on October 7. His predecessor in this post, Shevchenko, announced his resignation on October 4, citing health reasons.
The Ukrainian parliament appointed Shevchenko as NBU governor for a seven-year term on July 16, 2020. Shevchenko had been Ukrgasbank CEO prior to that appointment. After Shevchenko announced his resignation from the post of NBU governor, Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies filed suspicions against him as part of a case dating back to his tenure at Ukrgasbank. Shevchenko, for his part, rejected all suspicions, dismissing them as political pressure.