This paper reviews economic developments in Guatemala during 1990–95. In 1993–94, output growth was led by a buoyant services sector while activities in the primary and secondary sectors slowed. Domestic demand grew strongly in 1991–92 owing to a substantial expansion in...

This Selected Issues paper examines the economic integration between Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Mainland of China. Hong Kong SAR’s economic links with the Mainland expanded rapidly in the 1980s and in the first part of the 1990s, with Hong Kong SAR becoming the...

Poverty in Nepal remains pervasive owing to insufficient growth and inadequate targeting under the poverty alleviation programs. Executive Directors stressed the need to implement strong fiscal and monetary policies and accelerate structural reforms. They welcomed the Poverty Reduction Strategy...

This paper highlights Mozambique’s 2005 Article IV Consultation, Second Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria, and Modification of Performance Criteria. The performance under the program...

This paper reviews economic developments in the Kyrgyz Republic during 1990–95. From October 1993 onward, the authorities vigorously pursued restrictive credit policies, which led to monthly inflation rates falling from more than 30 percent in September and October 1993 to low...

Iceland has implemented a broad-based program of financial liberalization and market reforms. Iceland's conduct of monetary and financial policies is highly transparent, which contributes in an important way to the stability and efficiency of the financial system. Both macroprudential and...

This paper examines Burkina Faso’s Fourth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and the Third Annual Program. The program remains broadly on track. The economic downturn of 2000 trailed into the first half of 2001. All of the end-June and end-September 2001...

This Selected Issues paper focuses on the fiscal position of Sri Lanka. The standard analysis shows that, prior to the adjustment announced in the 2002 budget, fiscal policy was clearly unsustainable, leading to a rising debt-to-GDP ratio. The paper looks at external debt and complements the...

This paper describes economic developments in Cape Verde during 1990–96. After a noticeable slowdown during 1989–91, the Cape Verdean economy rebounded in 1992 and continued to expand in 1993–95, prompted by a sustained increase in public spending and the positive effects of...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that a cyclical slowdown in domestic demand coupled with global economic weakness led to slower growth of Sweden in 2001. Private consumption stagnated despite rising disposable income, owing to adverse confidence and wealth effects from the continued...