This paper presents the Joint Staff Assessment of Serbia and Montenegro’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The PRSP for Serbia and Montenegro comprises a union-level overview and a PRSP for each of the two republics. The Montenegrin PRSP is broadly in line with the Agenda of...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix reviews Samoa’s record of economic reform, its economic performance to date, and future areas of reform focus. The paper highlights that reform of the taxation system has reduced Samoa’s dependence on international trade taxes and...

Executive Directors commend the government for successfully completing the Living Standard Measurement Survey. There is a need to improve governance, and the fight against corruption has to be prioritized crosscutting all reforms in the strategy. Maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment...

This Joint Staff Advisory Note (JSAN) reviews Moldova’s Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (EGPRSP) Progress Report. Moldova’s EGPRSP is an important step toward achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. This JSAN highlights key characteristics...

This paper presents a Joint Staff Assessment of the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP) for Bangladesh. The I-PRSP lays out a broader vision for the future along with a medium-term economic strategy. The IMF staff considers that Bangladesh’s I-PRSP constitutes a cohesive...

This paper evaluates the Joint Staff Assessment of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for Armenia, which builds on the strategy laid out in the Interim PRSP. It provides an extensive analysis on the causes of poverty and the challenges faced, the comprehensive strategy with short- and...

The Joint Staff Advisory Note (JSAN) on the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Progress Report on Georgia evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the poverty reduction objectives and strategies. Participation of stakeholders in the poverty reduction strategy process has been satisfactory. The...

This Joint Staff Advisory Note reviews the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Progress Report for Niger. The lackluster economic performance in 2004 underscores Niger’s vulnerability to exogenous shocks. The progress report suggests that to firmly put the economy on a path of sustained and...

This paper presents the Joint Staff Assessment on Azerbaijan Republic’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. The incidence of poverty remains slightly higher among urban than rural households, and is associated with falling employment opportunities and earnings in the formal economy. Although Baku...