Fiscal decentralization has been, and remains high on the policy agenda of many countries. It is mainly driven by political pressures, which tend to be especially evident in countries with multiple ethnicities, and/or wide regional disparities in incomes or resource endowments. More generally,...

The euro area (EA) plays a major role in the global economy. Market perceptions of events in the EA program countries illustrate the possibility of large spillovers from the area in times of stress. The prospect of large spillovers underscores the urgent need for actions to contain, and...

The 2012 Article IV Consultation report on euro area policies highlights that investors are withholding funding from member states most in need, moving capital “north” and abroad to perceived safer assets. Executive Directors have noted that the euro area continues to face a number of...

This paper examines the impact of macroeconomic and financial sector policy announcements in the United States, the United Kingdom, the euro area, and Japan during the recent crisis on interbank credit and liquidity risk premia. Announcements of interest rate cuts, liquidity support, liability...

This paper focuses on euro area policies. The monetary policy stance remains appropriate for now. Fiscal policies are falling well short of consolidation requirements, and the area remains insufficiently prepared for the looming demographic shock. Past fiscal policy failures, notably...

For the time being—and possibly for a considerable time to come—developments and prospects for the euro area are quite favorable. This upbeat outlook is underpinned by buoyant activity indicators and a supportive policy mix. High household and business confidence, rising capacity utilization...

Conventional wisdom postulates that there are benefits from decentralizing government finances but there is little empirical evidence about actual country practices. This paper presents data on fiscal decentralization for about 80 countries over a period of about 20 years (1990-2008) from the...

Am 9. Januar 1992 stellte die armenische Regierung den formellen Antrag zur Mitgliedschaft im IMF und in der Weltbankgruppe. Im Januar besuchte daraufhin ein IMF-Expertenteam die Hauptstadt Armeniens Eriwan. Das Team überprüfte die bereits vorgenommenen gesetzgeberischen und sonstigen...

Die Republik Weißrußland stellte am 15. Januar 1992 den Aufnahmeantrag in den IMF und die Weltbankgruppe. Im Februar 1992 bereiste ein IMF-Expertenteam Weißrußland und besuchte Minsk um diesen Bericht zu erarbeiten und die dafür nötigen Informaationen zu sammeln. Der Besuch fiel mit dem...