Afghanistan has made substantial progress toward macroeconomic stability, but structural reforms need to be accelerated. The uncertainty affecting the fiscal outlook warrants a prudent expenditure policy. Monetary policy has been instrumental in reducing inflation and safeguarding external...

This paper discusses the Republic of Armenia’s Sixth reviews under the Extended Fund Facility Arrangement, and the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement. The Central Bank of Armenia has kept the policy rate at 8 percent since 2011, and has narrowed the corridor around the policy rate from...

This 2012 Article IV Consultation highlights that three years after the sudden end of Montenegro’s boom, there has been considerable progress toward recovery. Fiscal imbalances have proved difficult to rein in, reflecting a large fall in revenue after the collapse of the boom. Executive...

A 28-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for the Dominican Republic was introduced against the global recession. The main objective of the program is to limit the procyclicality of policies. The countercyclical macroeconomic program improved confidence and fostered aggregate demand. Monetary policy...

Kenya’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Annual progress report highlights that sound macroeconomic management policies are finally beginning to yield results in terms of macroeconomic growth, which is the underpinning for future poverty reduction. A high degree of price stability has been...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context. Sri Lanka’s economy has navigated recent market turbulence relatively well. Growth has remained solid, inflation is in mid-single digits, and the current account deficit has narrowed. From mid-May, the exchange rate came under pressure as market expectations of...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that a modest recovery is finally under way in Portugal. Growth rose to 1.3 percent in 2006, led by strong external demand, which is driving a notable rebound in export growth. In response, corporate investment shows signs of strengthening, but...

This paper presents key findings of the First Review for Burundi under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Economic growth in Burundi increased to 4.5 percent in 2008, mainly because of a good coffee harvest and more donor-financed projects. The economic outlook is generally...

This staff report on the Republic of Yemen’s 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights economic development and policies. The macroeconomic situation stabilized in 2012, but the recovery remains fragile. After contracting by more than 12 percent in 2011, real GDP is estimated to have grown...

Central African Republic (C.A.R) showed satisfactory performance amidst difficult conditions under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement. Executive Directors commended the authorities' efforts to consolidate peace and security and pursue macroeconomic stabilization and...