Solomon Islands’ economy has rebounded from the 2008–09 global financial crisis. An 18-month Standby Credit Facility has been approved in June 2010 and succeeded in restoring macroeconomic and financial stability. A new resource taxation regime is the key to reap the benefits from...

Bolivia showed a solid macroeconomic performance in recent years, owing to its strong trade and prudent economic policies. IMF staff stressed the need to tighten monetary conditions through increasing the policy interest rate as a means to combat inflation. The Executive Board praised...

Tonga’s economy showed recovery from recent shocks on the back of stronger tourism activity and fiscal expansion. In spite of generous grant inflows, Tonga remains at “high risk of debt distress†according to World Bank-IMF debt sustainability analysis. Executive Directors...

The review highlights that the government of Guinea-Bissau maintained macroeconomic stability under challenging circumstances. The government implemented satisfactory policies under the IMF supported program even in severe conditions. The authorities have met all performance criteria and all...

Real regional gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 6 percent in 2009, reflecting a collapse in tourist arrivals and foreign direct investment (FDI)-financed construction activity. The global financial and economic crisis has also exposed areas of significant weaknesses, notwithstanding...

This study relates Australian household saving more closely to movements in asset market using event study analysis and econometric analysis. In this study, the policy challenges for Australia from rebalancing in China, a temporary growth slowdown in China, and a recession in advanced countries...

Fiscal problems have long been considered a central feature of financial--that is, currency, debt, and banking--crises. This paper addresses four questions: What are the fiscal causes of crises? Which fiscal vulnerability indicators help to predict crises? Can fiscal variables explain the...

This paper assesses Ecuador’s 2003 Article IV Consultation, a Request for a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), and Approval of an Exchange Restriction. The main objectives of the fiscal program are to address immediate liquidity constraints and to bring expenditure growth under control,...

This 2003 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic expansion that began in Greece in the mid-1990s has continued unabated, with some employment gains in 2002 for the first time in four years. GDP increased by 4 percent in 2002, well above the European Union (EU) average, but external...

This paper examines the factors affecting the persistence of fiscal consolidation in 25 emerging market countries during 1980-2001. It proposes a new approach for defining spells of fiscal consolidation. The results indicate that the probability of ending a fiscal adjustment is affected by the...