EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Economic activity remained weak in early 2014. Activity was impacted by an outbreak of the Ebola virus since late 2013, but lagging structural reforms, energy shortages, and political uncertainty may also be at play. Economic growth is estimated to have been 2.3 percent in...

This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that Poland’s economy is steadily recovering from the 2012–2013 slowdown on the back of Poland’s very strong fundamentals and policies. Real GDP growth moderated to 1.6 percent in 2013 as the slowdown in core euro area countries...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context: Sudan is a fragile state mired in a heavy debt burden, international sanctions, and volatile domestic and regional political environments. These problems, together with limited revenue mobilization, are constraining Sudan’s growth prospects and poverty reduction...

This paper discusses Armenia’s Request for Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Performance under the 2010–2013 program, which was supported by arrangements under the EFF and Extended Credit Facility (ECF), was sound, with growth restored, large fiscal and external...

KEY ISSUES Unleashing Italy’s Potential The economy is struggling to emerge from a prolonged balance-sheet recession… Tight credit conditions, weak corporate balance sheets, and deeply-rooted structural rigidities continue to weigh on domestic demand. The high level of public debt...

KEY ISSUES Context. Economic performance has improved over the last year. The recovery is taking hold, although domestic activity remains weak, in part constrained by weak banks and inefficient state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Inflation has declined, the current account remains in large surplus,...

Barbados’ economy is estimated to have contracted by 0.7 percent in 2013, with weakness across both the traded and non-traded sectors. The 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that long stay tourist arrivals, which are highly dependent on the U.K. and North American markets, were down...

This paper focuses on Moldova’s 2014 Article IV Consultation and First Post-Program Monitoring Discussions. Moldova largely achieved the main objectives of the economic program supported by a combined Extended Credit Facility/Extended Fund Facility (ECF/EFF). The country’s economic...

This paper discusses Mozambique’s First Review Under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI) and Request for Modification of Assessment Criteria. Mozambique’s macroeconomic outlook remains favorable and the PSI-supported program is broadly on track. All assessment criteria were met and...

This Eleventh Review Under the Extended Arrangement and Request for Extension of the Arrangement focuses on Portugal’s macroeconomic framework and fiscal policy. Sovereign bond yields have declined sharply, buoyed by the improved economic outlook and increased investor appetite for higher...