Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) showed commendable growth owing to its strong macroeconomic performance and structural reforms under the economic program. Executive Directors commended the fiscal performance, bank restructuring, and the private sector developments, and stressed the...

For the past two years, the Democratic Republic of Congo has made considerable progress in consolidating its peace process, stabilizing its economic situation, and creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. The macroeconomic and fiscal performances under the...

This paper presents an assessment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's eligibility for assistance under the enhanced initiative for heavily indebted poor countries. The country has made remarkable progress in consolidating the peace process, stabilizing the economic situation, and creating...

This paper evaluates the Republic of Armenia’s Third Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and a Request for Waiver of Performance Criterion. The PRGF-supported program remains on track. All but one of the December 2002 quantitative performance criteria were met,...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that real GDP of Grenada declined by 3 percent in 2001, reflecting the global slowdown, completion of most of the large infrastructure and tourism projects, and the effects on tourism of the September 11 attacks in the United States. The fiscal...

Chile has successfully resisted contagion from neighboring countries difficulties. Chile's inflation targeting framework has successfully anchored inflation expectations and increased the economy's resilience to external shocks while maintaining price stability. The floating exchange rate regime...

This paper assesses Mali’s progress under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, and seeks Board approval of the completion point under the enhanced framework. By end-December 2002, the policy reforms for the floating completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative had...

Togo's macroeconomic situation remained difficult owing to its political uncertainty, falling cotton prices, and continued problems in phosphate production under the Staff-Monitored Program. Executive Directors stressed the need to improve fiscal stance, address structural issues, and reinforce...

Economic performance in 2002 was generally favorable with good policy implementation, but considerable risks remain. Structural reforms have fallen behind program expectations, but the delays are being addressed. The discussions highlighted the need for prudent policies and strengthening of...