This paper discusses Bhutan’s Technical Assistance Evaluation report. Participation in the statistical projects financed by the Japanese government in national accounts, prices, government finance, and balance-of-payments statistics is having a major effect on Bhutan’s statistical...

This paper discusses observance of standards and codes—data Module in Costa Rica, response by the authorities, and detailed assessment using the Data Quality Assessment Framework. The assessment reveals that all statistical agencies get high marks in assurances of integrity. Macroeconomic...

This paper discusses key findings of the Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Niger. Program implementation to date is satisfactory and all quantitative performance criteria at end-June 2009 were met. The revenue performance is strong and domestic arrears repayment higher...

This report summarizes the Observance of Standards and Codes on Fiscal Transparency for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It provides an assessment of fiscal transparency practices in the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia in relation to the requirements of the IMF Code of Good...

The data quality assessment shows that Kazakhstan is in observance of the Special Data Dissemination Standard, meeting the specifications for coverage, periodicity, timeliness, and the dissemination of advance release calendars. Executive Directors have suggested a set of recommendations that...

Timor-Leste is a unitary state and has made significant progress with improving its fiscal transparency. The government has adopted a transparent, fiscally sustainable governance framework for the petroleum sector. Nonetheless, there are still many areas in which Timor-Leste diverges from the...

This technical assistance report on Iceland focuses on a new organic budget law (OBL). In designing a new OBL, it is important to preserve good features of Iceland’s current legal framework for budgeting. At the same time, any new OBL should address the key weaknesses in the Financial...

The basic government finance processes are supported by a sound institutional and legal framework. Fiscal information is provided through regular publications and extensive use of the internet. Finally, audit processes are extensive and help improve budget management decisions, practices and...

This Joint Staff Advisory Note reviews the National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2006–10 and the Annual Progress Report for Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). The government of PDR approved the Sixth NSEDP 2006–10 (PRSP) in June 2006. The NSEDP provides a...

The political and security focus has shifted from post-conflict needs to consolidating gains on peace and stability. Macroeconomic stability has been re-established, and debt relief has improved the debt sustainability outlook. This enabled a gradual switch in policy priorities toward creating...