BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Argentina is confident it can soon lift curbs on fixed-term deposits and end all the banking restrictions it imposed a year ago to halt a bank run, the economy minister told local radio on Saturday.

Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna said he expected restrictions on about 14 billion pesos ($4.3 billion) in fixed-term deposits to be lifted before the current administration leaves office in May.

"I believe we will end this government with all the restrictions on fixed-term deposits lifted," he said.

In December, the government freed up restrictions on cash withdrawals from some 21 billion pesos ($6.5 billion) in savings and checking accounts. The decision helped release money to fuel economic activity.

Currently, a few banks that are in good shape are set to lift the fixed-term restrictions. The government's goal is to require all banks to follow. "Banks are going to start announcing the voluntary return of fixed-term deposits," Lavagna said. "Banco de la Pampa bank already announced plans to do so."

Lavagna also said a large international bank planned to start returning some fixed-term deposits. He did not specify which bank, but *****La Nacion**** newspaper reported on Saturday that Citibank, Citigroup's commercial banking unit, would begin returning fixed-term deposits.

The gradual easing of bank and foreign exchange curbs in recent months was also a response to International Monetary Fund demands to normalize the financial system.

The IMF approved on Friday a rollover of $6.78 billion in debt payments that Argentina owes the lender through August, giving the government breathing room to end a four-year recession that culminated in the biggest-ever sovereign debt default and the devaluation of the peso in January 2002.

A presidential election is set for April 27 and the transitional government of President Eduardo Duhalde will leave office in May. The IMF said it hoped to negotiate a more comprehensive medium-term deal with the new government. Duhalde, who is attending the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, told Argentine radio on Saturday the country must strengthen its ties with multilateral organizations like the IMF because it will need their help to ensure a full economic recovery. (Reuters)