This paper analyzes recent fiscal policies of nonrenewable resource exporting countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in the context of sharp swings in resource prices. Fiscal policies were predominantly procyclical during the boom period 2003-08 but to significantly differing degrees...

The paper notes that the development of sound budgetary institutions in countries such as France, the U.K. and the U.S. has taken a very long time?200 years or more?and is still evolving. It discusses Douglass North's prediction?which is supported by available data?that institutional reform is...

When policymakers have little option but to consider a sizable fiscal adjustment, they are confronted by the following questions: Can a large fiscal adjustment be implemented succesfully? How is a large adjustment best designed and implemented? What will be its impact on the economy? This...

This paper discusses experiences in reestablishing fiscal management in postconflict countries. Building fiscal institutions in postconflict countries essentially entails a three-step process: (1) creating a legal or regulatory framework for fiscal management; (2) establishing or strengthening...

Chad has succeeded in recent years in broadly maintaining macroeconomic stability and a high growth rate of economic activity. There has been a significant effort to formulate the detailed modalities for the use of oil revenues so as to ensure that oil revenues are used transparently and...

This report examines the Observance of Standards and Codes on Fiscal Transparency for Croatia. The assessment reveals that Croatia meets the fiscal transparency code in a number of areas and has been making significant progress in strengthening fiscal management and transparency. The allocation...

The Republic of Palau is a small island economy, heavily dependent on tourism and external assistance. Economic growth has been modest in the last few years and inflation is low. The authorities launched a wide range of reform initiatives since 2001, but several important ones have stalled in...

This report provides an assessment of fiscal transparency practices in Rwanda against the requirements of the IMF Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency. First, there is a description of practice, prepared by the IMF staff on the basis of discussions with the authorities and their...

With increasing frequency, the IMF has assisted middle-income countries, especially emerging economies, in adopting the types of budget reforms that have been introduced in many Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries - reforms that emphasize performance and...

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Georgia. All quantitative performance criteria (PCs) for end-December 2004 were met, but the indicative target on reserve money growth was exceeded, mainly because of large...