IMF envoy in Uzbekistan leaving

The representative of the International Monetary Fund in Uzbekistan says that the IMF will lower the level of its mission there after he leaves the country next month.

The envoy, Christopher Rosenberg, told the BBC the move was in reaction to the failure by the Uzbek authorities to implement serious economic reform as proposed by the IMF.

He said the IMF stood ready to help the country move ahead, should it wish to.

The IMF has been concerned about the overall economic situation in Uzbekistan in particular the balance of payments and continued strict access to foreign exchange at all levels. Uzbekistan has long promised to make its currency freely convertible, an issue largely seen as the main obstacle to investment there.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service