This paper on the midyear review of the 2005 staff-monitored program for Sudan reports that after a mixed performance under the staff-monitored program, the authorities are taking corrective measures to bring the program back on track. They imposed strict controls on nonpriority government...

Sudan’s 2006 Article IV Consultation reports that growth has been robust, inflation has been kept at a single-digit level, and important reforms have been undertaken. There has been progress with financial sector reforms and trade liberalization, and the managed floating exchange rate...

This paper computes Malawi's equilibrium real exchange rate as a function of its fundamentals as derived from economic theory. It finds evidence in favor of the equilibrium approach to exchange rate determination, with several variables (particularly government consumption and real per capita...

This paper assesses the scope and coverage of quasi-fiscal activities (QFAs) in Ghana. We find that while QFAs have been reduced recently, they remain significant. The extensive nature of these activities has several macroeconomic and structural policy implications. An extended measure of public...

This paper examines the Republic of Congo’s 2003 Article IV Consultation and a New Staff-Monitored Program (SMP). Performance under IMF-supported programs and recent SMPs was disappointing. Major progress has been made in consolidating security and peace, and in establishing democratic...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic underlies debt sustainability analysis. Sensitivity analysis reveals that if the pace of economic reforms falters, the debt burden—high even in the baseline case—could become...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Jordanian economy has performed remarkably well in recent years, mainly owing to far-reaching macroeconomic and structural reforms. Despite negative shocks, growth has been robust, inflation has remained low, public debt has continued to...

Papua New Guinea showed solid economic growth, supported by greater political stability, fiscal framework, and a healthy banking sector. Executive Directors encouraged the authorities to consider tighter macroeconomic policies in the face of rising inflation pressures and also stressed the need...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that Papua New Guinea is enjoying its fourth year of recovery and macroeconomic stability, but major challenges lie ahead. Sound macroeconomic policies over the past several years have reduced fiscal vulnerabilities, lowered inflation, spurred...

This paper discusses Ireland’s Twelfth Review Under the Extended Arrangement and Proposal for Post-Program Monitoring. Ireland has pulled back from a severe banking crisis with the support of the EU-IMF arrangements and broader European initiatives. Though below initial projections,...