This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the global financial crisis and the contraction of world trade have pulled the French economy into a severe recession and put its financial sector under strain. Structural features combined with early policy action have helped soften the...

This Joint Staff Advisory Note reviews the first annual progress report (APR) on implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) of the Central African Republic (CAR). The APR shows that overall, the CAR has made good progress in implementing its PRS in 2008, and the direction of its...

The staff report for Vanuatu’s 2009 Article IV Consultation discusses economic developments and policies. Vanuatu is well placed to take countercyclical measures should growth slow more than expected. Although close monitoring of banks is necessary given the rapid growth in the private...

The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) countries financial system has increasingly come under stress particularly through weakly supervised nonbank and offshore financial sectors with knock-on effects to domestic banks. The staff report focuses on ECCU’s 2009 discussion on common...

The Lebanese financial system has so far weathered the global financial crisis. The 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that deposit inflows decelerated briefly in the aftermath of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, but have resumed at a rapid pace since then. Executive Directors have welcomed...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic growth in the United Kingdom has turned sharply negative since mid-2008. Housing prices have fallen by more than 20 percent from their peak, the unemployment rate has increased, and inflation has come down. In response to the crisis, the...

This paper focuses on an arrangement under the Flexible Credit Line (FCL) for the Republic of Poland. Poland’s macroeconomic performance has been very strong. The authorities believe that access under an FCL arrangement in the amount of SDR 13.69 billion could help maintain market access...

Economic and social indicators in Zimbabwe worsened significantly in 2008. Real GDP is estimated to have fallen by about 14 percent in 2008 owing to economic disruptions caused by hyperinflation and a further significant deterioration in the business climate. Executive Directors have welcomed...

This paper discusses key findings of the First Review under the Stand-By Arrangement for the Republic of Armenia. In light of the large increase in Armenia’s financing needs, the authorities have requested an augmentation of IMF resources in the amount of 180 percent of quota. The revised...

Zambia’s nonperforming loans are expected to increase and banks have become more cautious in their lending. The staff report for the Zambia’s first and second reviews of the Three-Year Arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and request for Waivers of...