Gov't asks IMF for technical assistance to elaborate new price index

By Liliana Franco

Economy Minister Amado Boudou announced the administration of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner will ask the International Monetary Fund for technical assistance in order to elaborate a new price index aimed at monitoring the evolution of the domestic cost of living nationwide.

The Argentine request comes within the framework of the ongoing controversial INDEC National Statistics Bureau data and the negotiations with the Paris Club creditors without the intervention of the IMF.

IMF's participation in the elaboration of a new consumer price index was allegedly negotiated in Washington last week, during a meeting attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Héctor Timerman and Finance Minister Amado Boudou.