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...

Cape Verde’s economic and policy performance remains sound under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement supported by Policy Support Instrument (PSI). Executive Directors commended the prudent macroeconomic policies and structural reforms. They emphasized the need for...

This paper presents a preliminary assessment of the Kyrgyz Republic’s eligibility for assistance under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. It provides background information on the country’s eligibility under the enhanced HIPC Initiative. It summarizes...

In 2005, the overall macroeconomic performance was broadly satisfactory, notwithstanding an increase in inflation. All performance criteria were met. Structural reforms advanced, and delays in preparing feasibility studies for restructuring the airport and seaport authorities are being...

The Latvian economy has made remarkable strides, combining macroeconomic stability with rapid income convergence. An upfront policy tightening is needed to contain near-term overheating and secure a soft landing. Fiscal restraint is needed to counter the sizable demand stimulus already in play....

Economic activity in the Kyrgyz Republic has been buffeted by the political upheaval, and output growth has fallen short of expectations. The program builds on the country’s entrenched fiscal prudence and features a tightening in monetary policy, so as to secure rapid sustained growth in...

The Dominican Republic has been working with the IMF to become a participant in the General Data Dissemination System, and already meets many of the recommendations and some of the encouraged categories for dissemination of macroeconomic statistics. The Dominican Republic has a statistical...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that six years after the 1998 financial crisis, Ukraine continues to recover strongly. In 2003, real GDP grew by 9.4 percent, despite a poor harvest, and reached 13.5 percent through July 2004. Growth in 2003–04 has been prompted by favorable...

This paper focuses on Ukraine’s 2005 Article IV Consultation and Ex Post Assessment of Longer-Term Program Engagement. After four years of strong activity, annual growth has slowed sharply, from a peak of about 12 percent in 2004 to 3 percent for January–September 2005. Fiscal...