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 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that the overall budget balance of Algeria weakened in 2001 and the first half of 2002. This deterioration mainly reflected higher spending and a decline in hydrocarbon revenues owing to a reduction in volumes and prices. The overall balance dropped...

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...

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 assesses Uruguay’s Seventh Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion. The favorable program results reflect prudent macroeconomic policies and important banking reforms, although progress with other structural reforms...

Burundi has made much progress since the signing of the Arusha peace and reconciliation agreement. The handling of the economy has been highly competent considering the inordinate difficulties faced by Burundi in recent years. The bank of the Republic of Burundi has made progress in the...

This paper examines Paraguay’s 2004 Article IV Consultation and Second Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Requests for Waiver and Modifications of Performance Criteria. Paraguay’s economy has stabilized in 2004, but growth remains modest. A late season drought depressed output of soy,...

This paper assesses Papua New Guinea’s 2003 Article IV Consultation and a Request for an Extension of Repurchase Expectations. Since the mid-1990s, Papua New Guinea’s growth performance has been weak and poverty has increased owing to an unfavorable external environment, loose...