This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic activity in Jamaica has been adversely affected by shocks. Real GDP contracted sharply in late 2004 following the devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan. Thereafter, while output recovered, it was dampened by the poor performance of...

Mali’s 2008 Article IV Consultation and request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility are discussed. Mali’s economy has doubled in size since the democratic transition of the early 1990s. Sound macroeconomic management has produced growth...

The economy has recovered following the stabilization of commodity and food prices. The Article IV discussions focused on policies to secure a sustained recovery and achieve long-term economic and fiscal sustainability. The recovery will likely remain weak, and the consolidated fiscal surplus is...

Mongolia meets many of the General Data Dissemination System (GDDS) recommendations for coverage, periodicity, and timeliness. The major exceptions include the following: the incomplete coverage of the international investment position; the nonavailability of a primary commodity, agricultural,...

This paper discusses key findings of the Fourth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Afghanistan and a Request for Waiver of Performance Criterion. Program performance during the second half of 2007/08 fell short of expectations. The performance criterion on fiscal...

Economic activity in the Kyrgyz Republic has been buffeted by the political upheaval, and output growth has fallen short of expectations. The program builds on the country’s entrenched fiscal prudence and features a tightening in monetary policy, so as to secure rapid sustained growth in...

Haiti's economic performance deteriorated as a result of continuing political crisis. The ongoing political crisis has impeded the implementation of a comprehensive, donor-backed effort to remove Haiti's serious structural impediments. The economic program seeks to help the government...

This 2003 Article IV Consultation for Panama reports that the medium-term outlook is sound, assuming continued pursuit of prudent fiscal policies and growth-enhancing structural reforms. Sustained compliance with the fiscal responsibility law will require structural reforms, including...

This paper discusses key findings of the First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Macedonia. Macroeconomic performance of Macedonia remains strong. Through end-December 2005, the authorities met all of the program’s quantitative performance criteria. Growth has remained steady at...

The staff report for the Request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility highlights Benin’s economic developments and progress in structural reforms. Benin experienced a decade of good economic performance, but poverty reduction remains a concern....