An empirical study that shows that countries’ reserve holdings are sensitive to the rates at which they can borrow on international financial markets, this analysis confirms the view that holding major currencies as reserve assets has costs that are frequently unrecognized. Between 1978-82 for...

This paper reviews economic developments in the Comoros during 1992–95. The economic performance of the Comoros during 1991–94 was characterized by real growth of about 1.6 percent a year on average, large financial imbalances, an eroding export base, and the accumulation of large domestic...

This paper examines Dominica’s 2002 Article IV Consultation and a Request for Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The authorities' program for 2002/03, for which support through a one-year SBA is being requested, is aimed at restoring order to the public finances and relaxing the cash constraint to...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Malawi’s macroeconomic performance has improved significantly over the past two years, and the country’s agricultural-based economy has weathered the global economic storm relatively well. Good weather and the distribution of subsidized...

Despite the global financial and economic crisis, implementation of the government’s economic and financial program was broadly satisfactory. Growth was sustained, and the balance of payments improved markedly. The implementation of structural reforms with regard to state enterprises and the...

This Article IV Consultation reports that the economic growth of Mauritania is robust, which reflected prudent economic management, sustained donor support, and the beginning of oil production. Executive Directors observed that the return of constitutional order to Mauritania has established a...

The global crisis has underscored the need for effective global financial safety nets to protect countries with sound policy frameworks from adverse outcomes. Complementing the traditional crisis resolution role of the IMF, which has been instrumental during the recent crisis and is expected to...

Market reaction to a change in official interest rates will depend on the extent to which the change is anticipated, and on how it is interpreted as a signal of future policy. In this paper, a technique is developed to separate the anticipated and unanticipated components of such changes and is...