Niger’s GDP growth is projected to decline in 2009 to 3 percent from 9.5 percent in 2008 when agricultural production reached a record level. The staff report highlights Niger’s second review under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and Request for Modification of...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Poland’s rapid growth had begun to lose steam even before the global crisis hit. Following robust and relatively well-balanced expansion, driven by an EU accession-related investment boom and rapid credit and wage growth, economic activity...

This paper presents key findings of the Second and Third Reviews for Gabon under the Stand-By Arrangement. Performance under the program has been mixed. Non-oil economic growth was robust prior to the onset of the international financial crisis, spurred by high oil and commodity prices. However,...

Libya’s macroeconomic performance in 2008 has been strong, with real GDP growth of about 4 percent, and record fiscal and external surpluses. The staff report for Libya’s 2009 Article IV Consultation underlies economic developments and policies. The outlook has been adversely...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that Djibouti’s macroeconomic performance improved significantly, but inflation pressures are intensifying. Real GDP growth accelerated to 5.3 percent in 2007, driven mainly by foreign direct investment concentrated in the construction and port...

The staff report on Canada’s 2009 Article IV Consultation examines economic developments and policies. Canadian banks have weathered the crisis better than major-country peers, but the credit cycle will be challenging, particularly given high household debt. Financial instability is a...

This paper focuses on the Fourth Review for Sierra Leone under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. Program performance in the second half of 2008 was mixed. Although economic activity slowed in the last quarter, real GDP grew at an estimated 5.5 percent for the year. A key challenge is to...

This Joint Staff Advisory Note focuses on the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for Côte d’Ivoire, and discusses poverty trends, the PRSP’s strategic pillars, and key outcomes sought, including a sound macroeconomic framework, and monitoring and evaluation arrangements. IMF staff...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation discusses that a nascent recovery in Togo’s economy is expected to be offset in 2009 by the impact of the global recession. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF)-supported program and aim to...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that the main challenge for Maldives is to contain fiscal expenditures that have increased sharply following the tsunami. Expenditure has reached extraordinarily high levels by international and historical standards, with the majority of the increase...