This 2008 Article IV Consultation discusses that Bulgaria has been hit by the global financial crisis, with clear signs that the country’s capital inflows-driven boom has come to an end and that the real economy is slowing down. Executive Directors have commended the Bulgarian authorities...

Malta’s financial sector has so far weathered the global turmoil relatively unscathed; the real economy has been decelerating since the last quarter of 2008. The staff report for Malta’s 2009 Article IV Consultation underlies economic developments and policies. The fiscal position...

This paper focuses on the Stand-By Arrangement for Hungary under the Emergency Financing Mechanism. Economic indicators confirm that the downturn envisaged in the program is already under way. The new bank support law is important, as it provides Hungarian banks with access to capital...

This paper discusses key findings of the First Review under the Stand-By Arrangement for the Republic of Belarus. All end-March 2009 quantitative and continuous performance criteria and structural benchmarks were met, except for the net international reserves target, which was missed by US$221...

This paper discusses the staff-monitored program (SMP) for 2009–10 for Sudan. Sudan’s limited access to foreign financing means that significant adjustments in imports and expenditures are inevitable. The objectives of the new 18-month SMP (July 2009–December 2010) are to...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Belarus has so far escaped a significant fall in output, despite a sharp fall in external demand. GDP declined 0.5 percent year over year in the first eight months of 2009, comparing favorably to Belarus’ main trading partners. Economic...

Costa Rica’s economy has been hit hard by the global crisis, but active policies have helped preserve stability and mitigate the negative impact on growth. This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that despite the worsening of economic activity, the banking sector has remained sound....

Growth in the Czech Republic is projected to slow sharply in 2009 amid a gathering recession abroad and tightening credit at home. This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that the shrinking demand from the euro area, especially Germany, will curtail exports and direct investment inflows....

This paper discusses a request from the Republic of Latvia for a Stand-By Arrangement. The Latvian authorities are launching a decisive economic reform program and are seeking substantial international financial assistance to quell the crisis. With international reserves falling precipitously...

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review for Pakistan and a request for the augmentation of access under the Stand-By Arrangement. Program performance has been mixed. All end-March quantitative performance criteria were met, but structural reform has been slower than programmed....