In most macroeconomic models, the substitutability between domestic and foreign goods is calibrated using aggregated data. This imposes homogeneous elasticities across goods, and the calibration is only valid under this assumption. If elasticities are heterogeneous, the aggregate...

One plausible mechanism through which financial market shocks may propagate across countries is through the effect of past gains and losses on investors'' risk aversion. We first present a simple model on how heterogeneous changes in investors'' risk aversion affect portfolio decisions and stock...

This Selected Issues paper presents a short history of the development of the financial sector of Luxembourg, highlighting the strong influence of tax and regulatory advantages for its past development. It describes the structure of the banking sector today and summarizes plans for harmonizing...

On March 22, 2017, the Executive Board adopted the Guidelines for Investing PRG, PRG-HIPC, and CCR Trust Assets (the 'Guidelines') to establish the investment objectives and policies to guide the investment of assets of the PRG, PRG-HIPC, and CCR Trusts (the'Trusts') which are available for...

Guidelines for Investing PRG, PRG-HIPC, and CCR Trust Assets (the "Guidelines"), which were adopted on March 22, 2017, were further amended on January 12, 2022, by the Executive Board of the IMF. The Guidelines establish the investment objectives and policies to guide the investment of assets of...

This paper compares the SDR in terms of its risk-return characteristics relative to those of its five components and, on this basis, finds that the SDR has performed favorably over the period under review. In addition, several efficient portfolios including the SDR and its components are...

Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country is emerging from more than a decade of civil conflict. The World Bank’s country assistance strategy focuses on structural reforms to further increase growth and reduce poverty. The economy is emerging from the effects of...

This paper assesses Mali’s progress under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, and seeks Board approval of the completion point under the enhanced framework. By end-December 2002, the policy reforms for the floating completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative had...

This paper presents key findings of the Assessment of the Supervision and Regulation of the Financial Sector for Palau. Palau’s government has demonstrated a clear political commitment to antimoney laundering. In addition to being a signatory to the Honiara Declaration, it has more...

Mali has been implementing reforms supported by the IMF through the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) and Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangements. Executive Directors commended the macroeconomic management, poverty reduction, and structural reforms, and emphasized...