Greece adopted an ambitious program to eliminate fiscal and current account imbalances, regain competitiveness, maintain financial stability, and boost growth and employment. While significant fiscal adjustment occurred, critical objectives such as regaining confidence and restoring growth were...

The program was successful in strengthening the economy and stabilizing market conditions, although part of the fiscal achievements were reversed after the program lapsed. The 2008 Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with Hungary successfully stabilized financial market conditions and strengthened the...

Serbia’s transition to a more sustainable growth model remains incomplete and fragile. A precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) has been requested to insure against external risks and to provide a policy anchor. The program represents a prudent step in the present uncertain global and...

This report reviews Costa Rica’s performance under the Stand-By Arrangement. At the time of the global crisis, Costa Rica’s macroeconomic policy framework was constraining policy options. The financial program’s design was consistent with its policies and objectives....

Serbia’s Second Review under the Stand-By Arrangement and requests for Waiver of Performance Criterion are examined. The contraction in GDP has been limited relative to regional comparators, but absorption and external trade have fallen faster than expected. Foreign parent banks have rolled...

This 2010 Article IV Consultation highlights that the authorities’ adjustment program has contributed to limiting the fallout of the global crisis on Serbia. Although the output slump has been limited relative to regional peers, the decline in domestic demand has been significant,...

The fifth review of Serbia’s economic performance under the program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) is discussed. It helps in addressing the spillovers from the global financial crisis while establishing a moderate economic recovery. An accelerated pace of structural reforms...

This paper presents key findings of the First Review under the Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) for the Republic of Serbia. The banking system of Serbia has weathered the external shocks well, but credit is slowing sharply. To safeguard economic stability in this markedly deteriorated environment, the...

This Ex-Post Assessment of Longer-Term Program Engagement for Ghana explains its experience with particular attention to the IMF's role. Progress in structural reform was slow, but Ghana also avoided mistakes made by some countries that introduced reforms without enough public support....

Burkina Faso’s request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility is discussed. The proposed new Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program would help anchor macroeconomic stability and support Burkina Faso’s poverty reduction and growth...