The adverse impact of the crisis on Luxembourg’s growth outlook is partly mitigated by the authorities’ well-conceived fiscal policy response. The staff report for Luxembourg’s 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights economic developments and policies. It combines...

This paper discusses key findings of the Fifth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument for Mozambique, and findings of the First Review Under the Exogenous Shocks Facility. The country’s track record of prudent policies has provided ample space for easing macroeconomic policies in...

This paper discusses key findings of the Fourth Review for the Central African Republic (CAR) under the three-year arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Short-term fiscal policy of the CAR attempts to stabilize demand through government spending while preserving...

Indonesia’s external borrowing spreads increased by more than 1000 bps from mid-2007 to late 2008, before subsiding in recent months. The large increase in spreads prompted questions about whether the spreads adequately reflect the improvements in fundamentals made over the past few...

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review for Burundi under the three-year arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). All quantitative and structural performance criteria for March 2009 were met, and structural reforms are on track. In the near term, the...

Following an extended period of strong economic performance, Vietnam is facing considerable challenges. Growth moderated to 6.2 percent in 2008. Rapid credit growth fueled by massive capital inflows, coupled with a surge in commodity prices, led to high inflation and large trade deficits in the...

Belarus’ economic growth has been impressive in the last few years. Belarus’ economic program is designed to facilitate adjustment to external shocks and reduce vulnerabilities. It includes a number of structural reforms on issues that are critical to the mitigation of...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that despite initial resilience partly explained by high wage growth and accelerated government spending in Greece, growth slowed substantially in early 2009. The main driving forces were lower investment and exports, destocking, and a decline in...

This paper discusses key findings of the Sixth Review under Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Benin. The macroeconomic outlook is weaker for 2009–10, reflecting the impact of the crisis. Real GDP growth is expected to slow down to about 3–4 percent in 2009–10....

Senegal’s second review under the Policy Support Instrument and request for a Twelve-Month Arrangement under the Exogenous Shocks Facility, and request for Waivers and Modification of Assessment Criteria are assessed. Rising food and energy prices have presented a shock to the balance of...