This report reviews the Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance (EPCA) given to Lebanon after the conflict with Israel in 2006. The five-week conflict with Israel in 2006 and the month-long blockade that followed inflicted a heavy human and economic toll on Lebanon. EPCA would provide an appropriate...

This paper presents Peru’s First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for SDR 172.37 million approved on January 26, 2007. Implementing sound macroeconomic policies and reforms would reduce vulnerabilities, entrench sustainable growth, and reduce poverty, setting the stage for a strong...

This Selected Issues paper focuses on the fiscal challenge for Belgium in coping with population aging, including the sustainability of prevailing fiscal federalism arrangements across all levels of governments. The analysis demonstrates that the current strategy of upfront consolidation is...

The staff report for the 2006 Article IV Consultation on Antigua and Barbuda highlights the economic backdrop and outlook for restoring sound public finances. The government of Antigua and Barbuda has adopted an ambitious reform program in its endeavor to pull the economy from decades of fiscal...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that a modest recovery is finally under way in Portugal. Growth rose to 1.3 percent in 2006, led by strong external demand, which is driving a notable rebound in export growth. In response, corporate investment shows signs of strengthening, but...

This paper discusses key findings of the Fourth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Nepal. The PRGF-supported program is broadly on track. All quantitative performance criteria for the fourth review were met. A number of structural performance criteria and...

The 2006 Article IV Consultation with Peru and request for a Stand-By Arrangement highlights that the Peruvian economy has been reaping benefits of sound policies in a favorable external environment. The new government remains committed to sustaining fiscal consolidation to entrench...

This paper focuses on the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for Togo. The SMP aims to support the preparation of a realistic 2007 budget, with a moderate primary adjustment; anchor budget execution in a pre-election period; strengthening fiscal governance, especially on expenditure management;...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic developments in Trinidad and Tobago continue to be underpinned by a favorable international environment. Surging energy prices, the exploitation of new gas fields, and an expansion of industrial capacity helped sustain robust economic...