This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic activity in Grenada is slowing significantly, reflecting the drag of the global crisis on tourism receipts, foreign direct investment, and remittances. Commercial banks have remained resilient, but the intervention of the Trinidad and...

Recent performance suggests further economic stabilization in the Central African Republic, but uncertainties remain related to the general elections. The fiscal program aims at supporting domestic demand, financing the peace process and the elections, and mobilizing more revenue. Structural...

Owing to the high dependence of its exports on countries and commodities, Finland experienced the worst recession in the euro area. Executive Directors encouraged authorities to focus on improving bank cost efficiency, preventing excessive risk taking, and limiting liquidity and funding risks....

The Salvadoran economy was severely affected by the global economic slowdown. Further strengthening the economy’s growth prospects and reducing poverty will depend on a durable fiscal consolidation effort and improvements in the investment climate through continued commitment to...

Real GDP growth slowed somewhat to 5.3 percent in 2009, its slowest pace since 2000, though Vietnam was among the better performers in developing Asia. An immediate challenge is to consolidate the current stable macroeconomic conditions through prudent policies and better communications. Over...

Cape Verde has demonstrated notable economic and policy resilience. The public investment program should be completed, but new external borrowing should be limited to restore fiscal buffers. The monetary policy framework could be improved in the medium term. The Bank of Cape Verde should step up...

The composition of short-term and medium-term adjustment measures will facilitate sufficient short-term adjustment flexibility, and be consistent with medium-term fiscal sustainability. Improving debt resolution instruments will help the banks to regain confidence in lending. Meanwhile, there is...

The staff report for Bolivia’s 2009 Article IV Consultation describes economic developments and policies. The impact of the global recession on Bolivia has been milder than in other countries in the region. Lower commodity exports and remittances have resulted in a sharp narrowing of the...

This paper discusses key findings of the Fifth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Hungary. All end-December 2009 quantitative performance criteria, the continuous performance criterion on nonaccumulation of external arrears, and the indicative target on central government debt were met....

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that following the adverse impact from the global economic and financial crisis, there are signs of a nascent recovery of the Philippine economy. Growth is expected at ¾ percent in 2009 and to recover to about 3¼ percent in 2010. The recovery...