WASHINGTON, March 9 -- The International Monetary Fund issued the following statement by team leader Martin Sommer during a visit to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Feb. 19-March 6 to assess macroeconomic and financial developments, economic challenges and policy priorities with senior officials, representatives of real and financial sectors and the diplomatic community:

"The Turkmen economy continues to adjust to a challenging--although improving--external environment. Officially-r . . .

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