This paper discusses the role of fiscal policy and fiscal institutions in managing scaled-up aid. In an environment of volatile scaled-up aid, fiscal policy formulation should be anchored in medium-term frameworks, incorporating a longer-term view of potential resource availability and spending...

Kenya’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Annual progress report highlights that sound macroeconomic management policies are finally beginning to yield results in terms of macroeconomic growth, which is the underpinning for future poverty reduction. A high degree of price stability has been...

This paper examines Kenya’s Poverty Reduction Strategy annual progress report. The Investment Program for the Economic Recovery Strategy is Kenya’s medium-term strategy to foster economic growth and reduce poverty. Poverty is defined as the inability to command resources and is a...

Zambia’s 2005 Article IV Consultation and Third Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility are discussed. Expenditure restraint, including on the wage bill, has helped to put the fiscal operations of the government on a sustainable course and contributed to the attainment of...

This paper focuses on the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for The Gambia. Understandings have been reached with the authorities on the SMP covering the period October 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006. Key objectives of the program include making progress toward fiscal sustainability, strengthening...

This report focuses on IMF Technical Assistance Evaluation—Public Expenditure Management (PEM) Reform in Selected African Countries. Most of the countries examined were colonies of the United Kingdom, inheriting similar and relatively simple budget systems based on an interpretation of...

Zambia has achieved robust economic growth over the years, and poverty has begun to trend downward under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Arrangement. Prudent fiscal policy has reduced the domestic financing need and facilitated the implementation of a firmer monetary policy. Executive...

The authorities’ response to policy recommendations in the 2005 Article IV Consultation has been generally positive, and authorities successfully completed an SMP. The appreciation reflects the tightening of monetary policy and increased inflows of remittances, transfers, and FDI. The...

This paper discusses experiences in reestablishing fiscal management in postconflict countries. Building fiscal institutions in postconflict countries essentially entails a three-step process: (1) creating a legal or regulatory framework for fiscal management; (2) establishing or strengthening...

The Joint Staff Assessment (JSA) of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Progress Report on Kenya reviews poverty reduction strategy. The Investment Program for the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (IP-ERS) that the government of Kenya has recently submitted to the...