This paper presents the midyear review of the 2004 Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for Sudan. Policy performance in the first half of 2004 was broadly in line with the program. All quantitative benchmarks and most structural benchmarks were met. Real GDP growth has been stronger than anticipated...

This paper reviews economic developments in the United Arab Emirates during 1995–98. Real GDP growth accelerated from about 5 percent in 1994 to 8.1 percent in 1995 and to 10.1 percent in 1996. However, 1997 saw a marked slowdown in real GDP growth, to an estimated 2.1 percent, reflecting...

The government embarked on a reform program in early 1999 to revive the momentum and policy measures that had been interrupted in 1997 and 1998 owing to the regional financial crisis and internal political turmoil. Monetary and exchange rate policies in 1999 were also supportive of improved...

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 discusses the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Implementation Report 2003–04 for Mali. Progress has been made in the social sectors, even if some inadequacies remain. Budget allocations to the education and health sectors have improved, with budget resources allotted to...

This paper provides model-based projections of inflation, and quantifies the impact of the factors that determine inflation. The reasons behind the poor labor market performance in Greece and the remedial policies are discussed. The new economy is at a relatively early stage of development in...

This Financial System Stability Assessment on Kuwait reviews the macroeconomic environment and gives an overview of the financial system. Financial stability has been effectively supported by prudent fiscal and monetary policies. The banking sector appears sound and is well regulated and...

This paper describes economic developments in Grenada during the 1990s. The weak growth performance since 1990 reflected largely a continuous contraction in agricultural output, which declined each year from 1989 to 1993. The construction industry experienced a major contraction in 1992 owing to...

Niger has experienced a significant program interruption. Executive Directors supported the efforts to resume the economic and structural reform program interrupted, and restore budgetary transparency, improve governance, and accelerate structural reforms. They welcomed the efforts to resume...

An illegal parallel market for foreign exchange is prevalent in Belize. Its emergence and continued existence is attributed to the pervasive exchange controls, attempts to avoid banking fees, as well as the prevalence of cash transactions in the tourist sector. Overall, the financial system...