Since 1997, the IMF's role in surveillance of member countries has changed dramatically. Surveillance, as mandated in Article IV of the Articles of Agreement, has moved from a private process to a public one, with documentation from the consultation freely available at the Fund's Web site. But...

This paper studies the short and longer-term impact of IMF engagement in Low-Income Countries (LICs) over nearly three decades. In contrast to earlier studies, we focus on a sample composed exclusively of LICs and disentangle the different effects of IMF longer-term engagement and short-term...

The Kyrgyz authorities have maintained macroeconomic discipline in recent years, despite a challenging political environment. This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic activity is rebounding in 2006, with year-over-year real GDP growth of 3.2 percent through September, after...

The staff report for the Use of Fund Resources—Request for Post-Conflict Emergency Assistance on the Central African Republic (CAR) focuses on the political situation and post-conflict economic recovery. The post-conflict economic recovery remains subdued. Fiscal reforms will focus on boosting...

Economic developments are broadly in line with the original program projections for the year. The authorities have made considerable progress in implementing the IMF staff-monitored program (SMP), and the program is broadly on track. Substantial efforts to improve revenue administration raised...

This paper assesses Uganda’s Third Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria. The fiscal program was broadly on track in 2003/04. Performance under the PRGF-supported program was mixed. Despite...

Botswana’s 2003 Article IV Consultation reports that Botswana’s core economic database is largely adequate for surveillance, although the quality and timeliness of national accounts and key trade data need to be improved. Financial sector reforms, including a partial privatization of the...

Romania’s 2004 Article IV Consultation and Request for Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) are discussed. The authorities have requested a new precautionary 24-month SBA to secure macroeconomic stabilization and keep European Union accession on track. Romania has preserved competitiveness, despite the...

This paper assesses Pakistan’s Eighth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and Request for Waivers and Modification of Performance Criteria (PCs). Implementation of the PRGF program in Pakistan remains broadly on track. All quantitative...

The staff report for the Second Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility on Ghana highlights economic developments and policies. Efforts to consolidate the fiscal position continued, and there was no net domestic financing of the budget in 2003, implying a sharp reduction of...