This paper discusses key findings of the Fourth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Bulgaria. Performance in 2006 was broadly satisfactory, although structural reform implementation was weaker than expected. Notably, the government postponed until mid-2007 the launching of the electronic...

The staff report for the Second Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Requests for Waiver of Performance Criteria highlights Bulgaria’s economic growth, fiscal policy, and reforms. The economic program for 2006 relies on fiscal and credit restraint to rein in demand and strengthen the...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that despite a difficult political environment, economic growth in Ecuador is estimated to have exceeded 3 percent in 2005, with the non-oil sector expanding by 3½ percent. The strong growth in the oil sector that followed the completion of the new...

St. Lucia showed strong growth performance owing to its strong investment in tourism infrastructure. Executive Directors commended the prudent public debt management and sound banking system. They underscored the need for fiscal consolidation and steps to promote domestic investment and labor...

The current account deficit in Bulgaria, which doubled in 2005 to 11.8 percent of GDP, deteriorated further to 14.6 percent of GDP during the first four months of 2006. The current account deficit continues to be substantially financed by foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. Fiscal policy has...

This paper reviews the Interim Staff Report Under Intensified Surveillance for Jamaica. The authorities have reaffirmed their objective of balancing the budget in FY 2005/06, while recognizing that this now poses a greater challenge. The IMF staff now estimates that measures in the range of...

This paper presents Post-Program Monitoring Discussions for Indonesia. Macroeconomic and financial market developments were on the whole favorable in 2004. Inflation, after a temporary increase, peaking at 7¼ percent (y/y) in July, edged back down, ending the year at 6½ percent. External...

Nigeria’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that the authorities made good progress in implementing their structural reform program. Given favorable terms of trade, gross international reserves are projected to increase substantially. The economy is expected to benefit from improved...

Bulgaria’s request for a 25-month precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) in an amount of SDR 100 million or 15.62 percent of quota is discussed. The SBA-supported program seeks to reduce increased external vulnerability and to achieve sustainable high growth through a tighter fiscal...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that following the near crisis in the first half of 2003, the authorities in Jamaica have succeeded over the past year in stabilizing the economy and restoring market confidence. The foreign exchange market stabilized in mid-2003, inflation has...