Strong economic fundamentals helped Panama contain the adverse impact of the global economic downturn and financial turmoil. The 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that real GDP of Panama in 2008 grew by 9.2 percent. Panama’s large banking system has weathered the global financial...

The economic slowdown as a result of the global crisis has been severe, and the recovery has not yet taken hold. Despite ample buffers, including large fiscal space and strong international reserves, the policy response to the crisis has been constrained. Inflation has resurfaced as a concern...

This paper discusses the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s Second Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria and Rephasing of the Program. The 2007 fiscal deficit target increased modestly to 1 percent of GDP. Taxes were cut and budget...

The IMF’s Executive Board completed the first review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement in June 2010 and decided that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had reached the completion point under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. In 2010, an...

Following an extended period of strong economic performance, Vietnam is facing considerable challenges. Growth moderated to 6.2 percent in 2008. Rapid credit growth fueled by massive capital inflows, coupled with a surge in commodity prices, led to high inflation and large trade deficits in the...

Ireland has made progress in overcoming the economic crisis. The new coalition government’s strategy for restoring sustained growth, sound public finances, and job creation has been put forward in the context of the European Union/IMF-supported program. On this basis, the government...

This paper discusses Moldova’s request for a Three-Year Arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility and request for an Extended Arrangement. The economy remained overregulated and hampered by relative price distortions. High barriers to entry and low competition in telecommunications,...

This paper discusses the 2006 Article IV Consultation for Moldova and Request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. The economic growth of Moldova has continued to be robust, although the drivers of growth—household consumption and...

Improvements in macroeconomic conditions are encouraging, and the current macroeconomic framework for 2006 and 2007 remains valid in Paraguay. The strong fiscal performance has applied also to the rest of the public sector. The authorities have submitted a budget proposal for 2007 that preserves...

The capacity of the Saudi Arabian banking sector to respond to macroeconomic shocks has been considerably strengthened over the past decade. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA ) has been actively monitoring some emerging portfolio trends. Comprehensive reforms are under way to deepen...