Bangladesh’s 2008 Article IV Consultation reports that growth picked up strongly from a slow start to the year with rebounds in agriculture and garment exports playing a leading role. Strong growth of remittances and increased external assistance helped support the balance of payments in...

The key findings of Suriname’s 2008 Article IV Consultation show that a narrow economic base, terms-of-trade swings, and a weak policy/institutional framework have in the past led to macroeconomic instability. Weak policy and institutional frameworks have contributed to higher economic...

The staff report for the Sixth Review and Inflation Consultation Under the Stand-By Arrangement on Turkey explains the macroeconomic framework and monetary and exchange rate policies. High interest rates, slowing credit growth, and election-related uncertainty were expected to weigh on private...

Canada’s macroeconomic and policy performance has continued to outshine most other industrial countries, and its outlook remains favorable. The new government has pledged to maintain the strong social consensus in favor of fiscal surpluses, while aiming at enhancing incentives. The new...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that macroeconomic performance in the United Kingdom remains impressive. After softer growth in 2005, the acceleration in GDP in 2006 was broadly based. Business investment was boosted by high net rates of return; private consumption by robust...

A mix of solid economic policies, wage moderation, and an early orientation toward Eastern Europe explain Austria’s strong economic performance. The economy has grown strong in 2007 and through the first quarter of 2008. Employment growth remains strong, but the trend of a declining...

Macroeconomic performance of Armenia in 2007 has been strong, with double-digit growth and single-digit inflation for the sixth consecutive year. Fiscal policy in 2007 remains prudent, with the central government deficit limited to the programmed level of 1.8 percent of GDP. Monetary growth has...

This paper discusses key findings of the Seventh Review and Inflation Consultation Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Turkey. Macroeconomic developments have become less favorable since the last review in May 2007. Political developments have distracted attention from an ambitious economic...

Inflation targeting (IT) is a relatively new monetary policy framework for low-income countries (LICs). The limited number of LICs with an IT framework and the short time that has elapsed since the adoption of this framework explains why there are no previous empirical studies on the performance...

Executive Directors commend Bangladesh in addressing the major challenges to growth and poverty reduction. The strategy is comprehensive and confronts the key issues impeding sustainable development and inclusive growth in Bangladesh. Implementing sound macro-financial policies, intensifying...