EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context. On June 7, 2013, the Executive Board approved a 24-month Stand-By Arrangement in an amount equivalent to 400 percent of quota (SDR 1.146 billion or about $1.75 billion). To date, SDR 716.25 million, equivalent to $1.1 billion, has been disbursed. Background. Tunisia is...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights economic developments and policies of Mongolia between 2003 and 2013. The resulting balance-of-payments (BOP) pressures have been compounded by negative shocks to foreign direct investment (FDI) and coal exports. The IMF report analyzes that various...

This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic activity in Kuwait picked up in 2014. Non-oil growth is projected at 3.5 percent driven by a combination of continued increase in domestic consumption and some pick-up in government capital spending and private investment. Flat oil...

This Selected Issues paper explores the question of what kind of structural policies could boost productivity growth in small middle-income countries (SMICs), including Namibia. The findings suggest that although macroeconomic stability and trade openness are necessary for productivity growth,...

This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic growth in Spain has resumed, and unemployment is falling. Exporters are gaining market share, and the current account is in surplus for the first time in decades. Financial conditions have improved sharply, with sovereign yields at...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, growth in Bulgaria has remained low and unemployment is high. Real GDP growth is projected at about 0.5 percent in 2013 as domestic uncertainties undermined demand but exports are performing well....

Discussions centered on the preparations for the 2015/16 budget, and reforms to strengthen the financial sector and boost growth. The authorities have deepened their efforts in supporting their ambitious fiscal goals by strengthening public financial management and revenue administration, and...

This paper discusses Guinea’s Third Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), and Financing Assurances Review. The macroeconomic environment in 2013 was difficult, reflecting the fragile socio-political situation and a sharp slowdown in mining...

This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that Lithuania’s economy has entered a broadly favorable trajectory of healthy and balanced growth, but income convergence with Western Europe has a long way to go. With inflation at historical lows and well-advanced repair of public finances...

This paper assesses Pakistan’s Second Review Under the Extended Arrangement and Request for Waivers of Non-Observance of Performance Criteria. Discussions focused on progress in addressing the main macroeconomic challenges facing the country and remedial actions to meet missed performance...