Afghanistan has made important achievements in recent years. The 2011 Article IV Consultation highlights that authorities have taken steps to lay the foundation for economic stability and growth, despite a very difficult security situation and the challenges associated with building political...

The paper focuses on the workings of the Medium-Term Development Program (MTDP) of the Kyrgyz Republic. Raising living standards as well as taking measures for reducing poverty have been cited as the main priority areas of the strategy, and the measures to be undertaken to bring about...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that from 1999 to 2002, Korea’s economy grew rapidly, by an average of 7¼ percent per year. But starting in 2003, the economy has begun to sputter. Growth suddenly stopped in the first half of the year, leapt ahead in the second half as...

This paper presents a Joint Staff Advisory Note on Guinea’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). Baseline economic growth is projected to accelerate to 5.2 percent in 2014 and beyond, up from just under 4 percent in 2012. This projection is based on an acceleration of economic growth...

Despite enduring one of the sharpest contractions in the EU, Estonia has been successful in its all-out efforts to join the euro area. Core prices have also begun increasing but at a moderate rate. Recent wage increases have defied not only high unemployment but also increases in vacancies and...

Despite external and domestic shocks, the Guyanese economy demonstrated resilience and registered a fifth consecutive year of robust growth in 2010. The authorities started making payouts to Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) policyholders, in line with their plans to minimize fiscal costs....

Seychelles's economy has recovered strongly from the debt crisis and global recession, owing to high foreign direct investment and a rebound in tourism. Inflation remained near zero, and the country continued to rebuild its international reserves and reduce public debt. In 2011, the policy mix...

This article is a report of the IMF Executive Board’s program for Antigua and Barbuda. The Stand-By Arrangement program was developed as a response to the looming fiscal crisis, which resulted in large fiscal deficits and debts similar to the global crisis. The program is approved to...