This paper assesses the First Review Under the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for Afghanistan. The authorities have met all of the indicative quantitative targets set out under the SMP and all the structural benchmarks, except the benchmark on licensing of commercial banks, which was only partly...

The economy continues to recover at a steady pace, buoyed by strong activity in the oil and gold sectors, as well as public investment. In the wake of the January 2011 devaluation and concurrent increase in taxes, the fiscal balance shifted from a deficit of 3 percent of GDP in 2010 to a surplus...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that growth in Uruguay has moderated to a more sustainable pace since 2012, mostly owing to weaker external demand. Real GDP growth is projected at 4 percent in 2013 and 3.5 percent in 2014. Fiscal policy loosened in 2012 and is set to remain slightly...

The new government is committed to prudent macroeconomic policies and to enhancing Georgia’s business-friendly environment. Large external liabilities plus its high current account deficit remain the main sources of vulnerability, and reducing these in an orderly manner is a key...

The report discusses the important role of the Flexible Credit Line (FCL) in helping Mexico to survive in the fragile global economic environment. The FCL’s contribution in maintaining an orderly financial market in Mexico is noteworthy. IMF staff reaffirms their commitment toward Mexico...

Rwanda has responded to lower aid by tightening policies and drawing on its foreign reserves to cushion the impact on the economy. Economic activity has been resilient despite lower aid inflows. The agreed framework for the FY2013/14 budget is in line with Policy Support Instrument (PSI)...

This paper discusses Rwanda’s Seventh Review Under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI), Request for a Three-Year PSI and Cancellation of Current PSI. Progress under the PSI has continued to be satisfactory. Except for the ceiling on nonconcessional borrowing (NCB), all quantitative...

This paper describes Liberia’s First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion and Modification of Performance Criteria. Nonresource real GDP growth, in particular, while still on an upward trend has been...

Colombia’s very strong track record of macroeconomic policy management, underpinned by robust fiscal and monetary policy frameworks, has reduced vulnerabilities in recent years and helped weather the global financial crisis. The authorities’ policy focus has shifted from supporting...

Mauritania successfully weathered several exogenous shocks during 2011–12. Political upheaval in neighboring countries has not had detrimental economic effects so far, but political uncertainty remains high. Resilient growth and a continued buildup of external and fiscal buffers...