This paper discusses Bhutan’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The Royal Government of Bhutan has initiated the PRSP process as part of broader ongoing efforts to combat poverty. The main objective of the PRSP process is to strengthen the strategic framework for poverty reduction,...

This Selected Issues paper reviews recent developments in growth and employment in Bulgaria and highlights key constraints to growth suggested by cross-country competitiveness studies. Bulgaria’s GDP has grown substantially since economic and financial stabilization in 1997. The global...

This paper reviews Mongolia’s Economic Growth Support Poverty Reduction Strategy (EGSPRS) Implementation Progress Report 2004. Mongolia’s GDP grew by 5.6 percent in 2003, a fulfillment of the goal set out in the Main Guidelines for Economic and Social Development in 2003 to attain...

This paper examines the progress report on Azerbaijan Republic’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. The share of the production and non-oil sector in GDP has increased. The shares of industry, construction, wholesale, and retail and service sectors increased, while the shares of...

Spain’s housing boom was supported by rapid economic expansion, strong employment growth, an immigration boom, and low real interest rates. With the abrupt drying up of funding since mid-2007, these factors have eroded quickly. Through 2010, employment and value added in construction are...

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) are prepared by the member country in broad consultation with stakeholders and development partners. Despite strong economic performance in recent years compared with Sub-Saharan African and WAEMU countries, Mali’s average annual growth rate of...

Cambodians have displayed tremendous resilience. The National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) has been formulated using the comprehensive Rectangular Strategy of the Royal Government of Cambodia and synthesizes the Cambodia Millennium Development Goals (CMDG), the National Poverty Reduction...

This paper discusses Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Third Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Applicability of a Performance Criterion. Financial sector indicators through end-March 2013 suggest that the banking system remains profitable and adequately capitalized at...

The short-term objectives are being met, but medium-term targets and sustainability have to be worked on. The impressive fiscal adjustment evident since the crisis erupted is continuing. The Executive Directors commend the Greek government’s determination to focus on overdue spending...

This paper discusses Ireland’s Fiscal Transparency Assessment. The Irish government has ambitious plans to improve further the timeliness, quality, and comprehensiveness of its budgets, statistics, and accounts. Ireland has the capacity and information to bring its fiscal transparency...