Grenada quickly recovered from the devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan. Executive Directors welcomed the economic reform program aimed to promote economic growth, restore fiscal and debt sustainability, reduce vulnerabilities, and alleviate poverty. They emphasized the need to strengthen the...

This paper discusses Nicaragua’s 2005 Article IV Consultation and Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Reviews Under the Three Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). The economy continued to perform well, notwithstanding pressure from higher oil prices. Strong...

This paper examines Azerbaijan Republic’s 2004 Article IV Consultation and Fourth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. A long-term oil revenue management strategy has been adopted by the authorities, targeting a path of non-oil deficits over the medium term that seeks...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Belizean economy grew by 4½ percent in 2004, mainly reflecting strong performance in the agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors. Inflation remained subdued at about 3 percent. The overall fiscal deficit of the central government,...

Budget revenue forecasts should be best estimates of expected receipts. Often they are not. This paper analyzes the rationale for overstated revenue forecasts and derives conditions for intentional biases. A theoretical model demonstrates that overstated revenue forecasts can be the result of...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation for Pakistan reports that macroeconomic performance continues to be strong, but inflation and external pressures are evident. High growth, including in agriculture, is estimated to have raised disposable incomes. The authorities’ ambitious growth...

Bolivia’s pursuit of structural reforms has begun to yield results despite the difficult social and political context. The fiscal performance under the program needs to be substantially strengthened. The recent passage of the informal corporate workout law represents a substantial advance...

This paper focuses on Pakistan’s 2004 Article IV Consultation, Ninth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria (PCs). Implementation of the PRGF program in Pakistan remains broadly on...

This paper assesses Pakistan’s Eighth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and Request for Waivers and Modification of Performance Criteria (PCs). Implementation of the PRGF program in Pakistan remains broadly on track. All...

The staff report for the 2004 Regional Surveillance on the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) focuses on the economic developments and near-term prospects. The fiscal position of the governments in the region has deteriorated sharply in recent years and resulted in a marked increase in...