This paper discusses key findings of the Fourth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Afghanistan and a Request for Waiver of Performance Criterion. Program performance during the second half of 2007/08 fell short of expectations. The performance criterion on fiscal...

Croatia's economic growth accelerated, but external imbalances continued to increase. Executive Directors commended the strong performance accompanied by commendable prudent policies and continued strengthening of financial supervision. They emphasized the need for continued policy efforts to...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that after significant real economic growth volatility and high inflation through 2009, growth in Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe has become more stable and inflation has reached record low levels. Real economic growth slowed to 4...

Public debt in the Middle East increased during the mid-1990s mainly because of fiscal expansions. It decreased in recent years, thanks to high oil revenue, economic growth, some primary non-oil fiscal adjustment, and debt relief. While countries in the Middle East appear to have adequately...

The 2006 Article IV Consultation, First Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility of Sierra Leone reviews sustainability of higher economic growth and reduction of poverty. Sierra Leone has made progress in improving governance and transparency, but...

This paper presents Peru’s First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for SDR 172.37 million approved on January 26, 2007. Implementing sound macroeconomic policies and reforms would reduce vulnerabilities, entrench sustainable growth, and reduce poverty, setting the stage for a strong...

The 2007 Article IV Consultation on the Republic of Kazakhstan focuses on the appropriate policy response to mounting banking sector risks and continuing inflation pressures. Banking sector risks are mounting and inflation remains relatively high. The authorities intend to continue raising...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that Ukraine’s fiscal policy in 2005–06 reshuffled resources from higher saving businesses to lower saving households, touching off a consumption boom, which has been reinforced by rapid credit expansion. In 2005, this boom helped to...

The 2006 Article IV Consultation on the Republic of Tajikistan explains political and economic developments. Although Tajikistan’s external debt profile has improved significantly, total public and publicly guaranteed debt is projected to increase significantly, mainly because of large...

The 2006 Article IV Consultation with Peru and request for a Stand-By Arrangement highlights that the Peruvian economy has been reaping benefits of sound policies in a favorable external environment. The new government remains committed to sustaining fiscal consolidation to entrench...