This paper investigates the effect of fiscal transparency on market assessments of sovereign risk, as measured by credit ratings. It measures this effect through a direct channel (uncertainty reduction) and an indirect channel (better fiscal policies and outcomes), and it differentiates between...

This paper presents, for the first time, multi-dimensional indices of the quality of budget institutions in low-income countries. The indices allow for benchmarking against the performance of middle-income countries, across regions, and according to different institutional arrangements that...

This report provides an assessment of fiscal transparency practices in Serbia in relation to the requirements of the IMF Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency. Serbia has made solid advances in fiscal transparency in recent years, but there are still some major shortcomings. This report...

This report provides a reassessment of fiscal transparency practices in Estonia in relation to the requirements of the IMF Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency. It presents a description of practices prepared by IMF staff on the basis of discussions with the authorities and their...

This paper focuses on the observance of standards and codes on fiscal transparency for Switzerland. The assessment reveals that the fiscal role of the executive and legislative branches of government, and the legal framework for the management of federal public finances, are clearly defined. The...

The Government of Namibia has a full equity share of four specialist or policy banking corporation. There are a large number of public nonfinancial corporations, in which the government has a part or full ownership share, including public utilities and Air Namibia, the national airline. There...

In Kenya, the general government is not defined consistently with government finance statistics (GFS) principles. Relationships between the central government and public nonfinancial and financial corporations are generally clearly defined. Government holdings of fully owned corporations and...

This study was carried out in association with an FAD technical assistance mission on public financial management issues. It focuses on transparency aspects of fiscal management reforms reviewed by that mission as well as implementation of key report on observance of standards and codes...

The basic government finance processes are supported by a sound institutional and legal framework. Fiscal information is provided through regular publications and extensive use of the internet. Finally, audit processes are extensive and help improve budget management decisions, practices and...

This Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes assesses Fiscal Transparency for Barbados. The report reveals that Barbados has a number of good practices on fiscal transparency including a legal requirement to publish the budget Estimates, the annual report of the accountant general, and...