This paper examines Zambia’s Second Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and a Request for Waiver and Modification of Performance Criteria (PC). Performance under the PRGF-supported program has been good, although there were delays...

Fiscal consolidation has become an important policy prescription for many emerging market countries (EMCs), particularly for the highly indebted ones. Although prudent fiscal policies tend to reduce vulnerabilities, their implementation is usually postponed. This paper represents, to the best of...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that real GDP growth of Mauritius is expected to rebound to about 4½ percent in 2003/04. This largely reflects the recovery of tourism and sugar production, and continued strong construction and transportation activity. The current account is...

The staff report for the 2005 Article IV Consultation on the Kingdom of the Netherlands—Aruba highlights the economic developments and policies. Meeting the challenges of population aging requires policies that create conditions for faster productivity growth. IMF Staff recommended...

The staff report for the 2005 Article IV Consultation on Portugal highlights economic developments and outlook. Private consumption has proven resilient, reflecting low interest rates and lengthening tenors on bank lending, while investment and export growth remained weak. Executive Directors...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that Malta’s economic growth languished in 2004 for a fourth consecutive year. Slow growth reflected the weakness of, and increasing competition in, Malta’s export markets, as well as domestic factors. The slowdown had begun with shocks...

This paper discusses key findings of the Sixth Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Albania. The macroeconomic performance of the Albanian economy has been good overall, with sustained growth and low inflation. Weak infrastructure and...

The staff report for the combined 2005 Article IV Consultation on Burkina Faso focuses on recent economic developments and performance. Burkina Faso has maintained an average real GDP growth rate of more than 6 percent annually, and inflation has been contained. Revenues performance is...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that Nepal’s economic growth has been affected by the political turmoil and conflict, although inflation has remained moderate, and international reserves are adequate. Real GDP growth averaged 2 percent during 2000/01–2004/05, compared...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic activity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) started to recover in 2002, after declining for 13 years. Inflation declined from 511 percent at end-2000 to 4 percent at end-2003. Fiscal developments were mixed in 2004, with...