The authorities' economic policy seeks to sustain strong economic growth mainly through low taxes, large public investment, and the provision of credit to the private sector through the state-owned Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The authorities expect the resulting high rate of economic...

This paper describes economic developments in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) during the 1990s. Economic reforms in Lao PDR that started in 1986 were supported by IMF arrangements in 1989–97. During those years, the economy grew annually at 5 percent to 8 percent and through...

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 Selected Issues paper and Statistical Annex identifies the sources of bank problems in Bolivia. It describes the measures to strengthen the system since 1985, and assesses the early results of bank restructuring in 1994–96. The paper highlights that prior to 1985, financial...

The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, whose implementation has now reached the second year, has been the key instrument in Mauritania's economic, social, and institutional development policy. The pursuit of policies to accelerate growth, maintain macroeconomic stability, and enhance the...

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...

A 12-month Stand-By Arrangement was approved to help Dominica deal with external shocks, rising public debt, and a prolonged economic downturn. Discussions focused on the appropriate mix between adjustment and financing. The authorities will also continue to strengthen the public sector...

This paper reviews economic developments in Portugal—Macau during 1997–99. It highlights the way in which Macau’s economic development evolved over the years. The paper discusses developments in prices, wages, and employment, and sheds light on how the product and labor...

This 2003 Article IV Consultation highlights that after a prolonged recession through the second half of the 1990s, the Netherlands Antilles economy has recently shown some important resilience. With the exchange rate pegged to the U.S. dollar, the Netherlands Antilles has enjoyed low inflation....

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix for the Kingdom of the Netherlands—Aruba underlies long-term growth and fiscal sustainability. Aruba’s fiscal position has been deteriorating since the turn of the century, and the medium-term fiscal sustainability analysis shows...