This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that since the last Article IV consultation discussions, economic activity in Latvia has maintained its momentum. GDP grew 7½ percent in 2003 and 8¾ percent year over year in the first quarter of 2004; however, inflation climbed to 6.1 percent at...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that Malawi's real GDP grew by an annual average of 3 percent in 2002–03. Agricultural production rebounded from the drought in 2001, but the 2004 harvest was affected by a drought. Macroeconomic imbalances, high interest rates, and...

This 2003 Article IV Consultation highlights that despite significant slowdowns in activity in some major overseas markets, New Zealand has maintained a strong pace of economic growth over the past three years. The economy’s performance reflected its enhanced flexibility, stemming from...

Uruguay's performance under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) has been favorable, and commendable progress has been achieved in containing the crisis and stabilizing the economy. Executive Directors welcomed this development, and stressed the need to implement policies in the fiscal, banking, and...

This paper assesses Benin’s Fourth Review Under The Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Macroeconomic performance remained broadly in line with the objectives of the PRGF-supported program in 2002. All performance criteria for end-September 2002 were met, and the four structural...

This paper assesses Serbia and Montenegro’s First Review Under the Extended Arrangement (EA). Serbia and Montenegro’s economic and policy performance has remained good under the current EA, but daunting challenges lie ahead. Macroeconomic policies need to be carefully calibrated to...

This paper reviews Benin’s progress and proposes IMF Executive Board approval of the Completion Point Under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Framework. The IMF staff and IDA consider that Benin has met the conditions for reaching the completion point under the enhanced...

Slovakia is now one of the fastest-growing EU accession countries. Despite the upswing, the Slovak economy remains hampered by structural weaknesses and related macroeconomic imbalances. Over the medium term, IMF staff believes that Slovakia should aim for an external current account deficit...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix surveys the main reasons for Papua New Guinea’s disappointing economic performance, highlighting the key impediments to growth in each of the main sectors of the economy. The paper outlines the structural reforms that could help reduce...

This paper assesses Papua New Guinea’s 2003 Article IV Consultation and a Request for an Extension of Repurchase Expectations. Since the mid-1990s, Papua New Guinea’s growth performance has been weak and poverty has increased owing to an unfavorable external environment, loose...