Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Yemen Hassan Al-Atrash held talks with Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Mohammad Al-Saadi and Minister of Finance Sakhr Al-Wajih.

The two sides explored ways for develop a viable economic reform program and find sources of financing to back up the state budget, Al-Atrash told reporters here on Monday.

"The discussions focused on the urgent financial assistance the IMF can offer to Yemen to shore up its faltering economy," he pointed out.

Al-Atrash said he felt during his talks with Al-Saadi and other Yemeni government leaders, a sincere desire to tackle the political and economic instability in the country.

He reaffirmed the IMF commitment to back Yemen in the current challenging stage.

On his part, Dr. Al-Saadi said his national consensus government is striving to restore political and economic stability and improve the living conditions of citizens.

"The government agenda for 2012 prioritizes the economic dossier through working out a study on the needs of the country in collaboration with donors, notably the IMF, and outlining the projects with quick economic return," the minister noted.

"The government will continue amending the economic and investment legislations in order to create investment-friendly atmospheres," he said, lauding the IMF help in this regard. Meanwhile, Al-Wajih said the government and the IMF are working closely together to overcome the impacts of the last year crisis and formulate the economic and financial reforms and reverse the rising inflation rate.

He highlighted the role of the international community and the IMF in adding to the achievements made by the Yemeni government in the short period since its formation in mid December.