This Selected Issues paper analyzes reserve adequacy in Mexico. Reserve adequacy has been of renewed interest, as the authorities have introduced a new rules-based mechanism of U.S. dollar sales to reduce the rate of reserve accumulation. The paper examines the recent experience with...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes performance of the Vietnamese economy during the 1990s. It reviews recent monetary and banking developments, and provides an assessment of the main problems in the banking sector. The paper highlights that during the late 1990s, Vietnam’s banking sector...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic growth in South Africa slowed in 2003 to 1.9 percent, from 3.6 percent in 2002, despite strong domestic demand. Fuelled by low interest rates, a more expansionary fiscal stance, and the wealth effects from strong commodity and property...

The discussions for the 2003 Article IV Consultation with Equatorial Guinea were conducted in Malabo and Bata. Executive Directors expressed concern about the continued weakness in economic policy performance, macroeconomic management, and governance. The authorities agreed that Equatorial...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix surveys the main reasons for Papua New Guinea’s disappointing economic performance, highlighting the key impediments to growth in each of the main sectors of the economy. The paper outlines the structural reforms that could help reduce...

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....

Bolivia’s system to prevent and suppress money laundering fulfills most of the Financial Sanctions Related to Terrorism and Terrorist Financing (FATF) recommendations and applies to the insurance, stock market, and financial sectors. However, the system does not include other activities...

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country.

This paper reviews economic developments in Indonesia during the 1990s. The adjustment effort during 1991/92–1992/93 was marked by a tightening of monetary policy, and measures were also taken to curb new external borrowing. Interest rates rose sharply, as large amounts of central bank...

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country.