Caucasus and Central Asia are coming out of 2008-2009 crisis

The Caucasus region and Central Asia are actively recovering from the crisis of
2008-2009, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) group on
Azerbaijan, Nadeem Ilahi, told a press conference in Baku, introducing
the latest review prepared by the IMF entitled "The Middle East and Central
Asia: prospects for development of the regional economy."

IMF experts believe that the economic growth in the Caucasus and Central
Asia is motivated by the development of the oil and gas-producing countries.

According to IMF experts, however, there is a threat of inflation, as well
as other risks for the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia (CA),
and, in the first place - a slowdown in the global economy.

Other negative factors cited are possible reductions of foreign
investment in Russia, budget deficits in countries exporting oil and gas,
as well as growth in unemployment.