The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the IMF's role in the developing countries' adjustment process. In particular, the paper tries to answer the following questions: What model or framework does the IMF use to generate its advice, and is that advice eclectic? Is there evidence...

The global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting deterioration in many countries’ public finances have increased the risk of sovereign debt crises. Although crisis prevention remains paramount, these developments have made it imperative to re-examine the adequacy of the...

On 24th of September 2020, the Egyptian President ratified the Law No. 194 of 2020 on the Central Bank and the Banking Sector, completely replacing the Law No. 88 of 2003 regulating such a sector. It is worth noting that such a step was part of the negotiations process between the Egyptian...

Suriname faces systemic fiscal and external imbalances as a result of many years of economic mismanagement. Usable foreign reserves were depleted and, in the absence of other sources of budget financing, fiscal deficits were monetized. Inflation has, as a result, surged and there has been a...

Kenya's medium-term economic outlook remains positive, supported by the authorities' continued firm commitment to their economic program amidst a complex environment. Economic recovery is well underway, but Kenya's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have suffered significant setbacks, and...

On June 20, 2018, the Executive Board approved the largest stand-by arrangement in the Fund's history, in support of Argentina's 2018-21 economic program. After an augmentation in October 2018, access under the arrangement amounted to USD 57 billion (1,227 percent of Argentina's IMF quota). The...

Azerbaijan faced unprecedented challenges in 2020. The combined COVID-19 and oil price shocks pushed the economy into recession. A sizeable relief package helped cushion the economic impact from this shock, and the economy has started to recover. Yet the medium-term outlook remains subdued. The...

An economic recovery is underway on the heels of the authorities' large and timely policy response. By 1Q2021, GDP exceeded its pre-crisis level and growth in 2021 is expected to reach 6.5 percent, supporting a smaller-than-expected fiscal deficit. Headline inflation increased above the 4.5...

Armenia has commenced a robust recovery from the deep 2020 recession, benefiting from strong policies and the lifting of the political uncertainty after the elections in June. A gradual but uneven improvement in the pandemic situation, pent-up demand, and the strengthening of public and private...

Niger's new government developed an ambitious reform agenda in the face of daunting challenges. The previous ECF-supported program was able to preserve macroeconomic stability and implement some key PFM reforms, notwithstanding the pandemic. However, progress on revenue mobilization was more...