This paper studies the potential for the export sector to play a more important role in promoting growth in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic (CAPDR) through deeper intra-regional and global trade integration. CAPDR countries have enacted many free trade agreements and other...

This paper examines the financial strength of central banks in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CADR). Some central banks are working off the effects of intervention in distressed financial institutions during the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Their net income has improved...

The government of President Hernandez inherited a difficult macroeconomic situation upon taking office in January 2014. Economic growth decelerated significantly in 2013, driven mainly by lower private demand from policy uncertainty and by weaker trade-partner growth. The fiscal accounts...

This paper discusses key findings of the detailed assessment of compliance of the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision for El Salvador. The Salvadoran financial system is comparable with its regional peers in terms of size. The financial system has weathered the global...

This paper discusses key findings of the detailed assessment of compliance of the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision for El Salvador. The Salvadoran financial system is comparable with its regional peers in terms of size. The financial system has weathered the global...

This Technical Note analyzes Safety Nets and Crisis Management Arrangements in El Salvador. In El Salvador, the banking safety net—emergency liquidity assistance, resolution and deposit insurance—faces particular challenges given it operates in the context of official...

KEY ISSUES Focus: The main themes centered on tackling macroeconomic vulnerabilities and improving the medium-term outlook by achieving an ambitious fiscal adjustment while protecting social spending, creating an environment for higher private sector-led growth, and building a robust financial...

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country.