The Liberia Poverty Reduction Strategy (LPRS) was completed in March 2008. Since reaching the decision point in March 2008, Liberia has maintained macroeconomic stability. The global financial crisis adversely impacted Liberia shortly after the LPRS was released. Investments were postponed, and...

A poverty profile for the Comoros has been established based on the latest poverty data (EIM 2004). The data indicate that monetary poverty is still widespread in the Comoros. For the overall country, the incidence of poverty at the household level was estimated at 36.9 percent in 2004. Three...

Despite offering a more realistic macroeconomic outlook than the I-Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), the baseline scenario under the full Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy Paper (PRGSP) is overly optimistic. The authorities estimate the cost of the five-year strategy at US$1.4...

Economic conditions in Comoros have yet to recover from the effects of persistent political instability and the recent global crises. Comoros’s overall reform performance in the last two years constitutes encouraging first steps. Performance under the 2008/09 Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance...

The first review of Maldives’ economic performance under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and the Arrangement under the Exogenous Shocks Facility is discussed. The fiscal deficit in 2009 was estimated at 261⁄4 percent of GDP, 21⁄2 percentage points lower than previously projected. The growth...

The 2010 staff report for the Third and Final Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) reviews the economic performance of Costa Rica. The structural benchmarks related to the deposit insurance and bank resolution framework were delayed owing to a longer-than-expected consultation process....

The 2010 staff report for the Fourth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement addresses economic challenges faced by Pakistan. The implementation of the structural agenda faced delays but politically difficult reforms were assured to be executed. The resulting fiscal pressures had been expected to...

This paper focuses on the Public Financial Management—Performance Report for the Maldives. In line with the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) methodology, the assessment focuses on the fiscal performance during 2005–08, and the institutions and procedures that were in...

This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment of Observance of International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Insurance Core Principles for the United States. Most U.S. insurers write primary insurance on U.S. risks. The U.S. market is characterized by low market...

The Republic of Poland’s 2010 Article IV Consultation shows that Poland is the only European Union country to have escaped a recession in 2009 owing to its limited reliance on exports and well-capitalized and profitable banking system. Like its regional peers, it experienced spillovers from...