Upon entry into the European Union, countries become members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), with a derogation from adopting the euro as their currency (that is, each country joining the EU commits to replace its national currency with the euro, but can choose when to request...

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....

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that real GDP for St. Vincent and the Grenadines grew by a modest ¼ percent in 2001, well below the 4 percent average for the previous three years. Preliminary estimates for 2002 indicate about a pickup in real GDP growth to about 1 percent owing...

This paper on the First Review Under the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) on Djibouti explains macroeconomic framework and policies. The policy discussions centered on the need to sustain the improvement in the country’s fiscal position in the remainder of the year and steadfast structural...

The public sector in Peru is clearly distinguished from the rest of the economy, but the existence of various legal and statistical definitions of the government makes it difficult to demarcate it clearly from the rest of the public sector. The recent constitutional reform has strengthened the...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that recent accession to the European Union and gains in growth performance reinforced the Czech Republic’s position as one of the most open and developed economies among the new member states. Thanks to substantial foreign direct investment,...

Cambodia’s 2004 Article IV Consultation reports that the macroeconomic performance has been generally good, reflecting both favorable external developments and prudent fiscal policy. Exports soared following a bilateral trade agreement with the United States, and large aid inflows helped...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that after growing by an average 3 percent a year in 1998–99, output for St. Lucia stagnated in 2000, and fell by an estimated 5¼ percent in 2001. This reflected a severe drought in 2001, as well as lower tourism activity owing to the global...