This Selected Issues paper assesses efficiency of Qatar public investment. It discusses the trends in public capital spending and the rationale for improving public investment efficiency. The paper outlines three alternative methods for analyzing efficiency, and presents the main results. The...

KEY ISSUES Context. As the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Qatar has turned into an important global financial investor, donor, and labor importer. Growth averaged 14 percent over the past decade and GDP per capita has reached $100,000, the highest in the world. Qatar...

KEY ISSUES Context. Over the past decade, Afghanistan has made enormous progress in reconstruction, development and lifting per capita income. Security and political uncertainties, and weak institutions have constrained growth and weighed on social outcomes. With significant reform efforts and...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context. On June 7, 2013, the Executive Board approved a 24-month SBA in an amount equivalent to 400 percent of quota (SDR 1.15 billion or about $1.75 billion). To date, SDR 427.92 equivalent to $659 million has been disbursed. The pillars of the program are to: (i) achieve...

This Paper discusses Pakistan’s Third Review Under the Extended Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion (PC).The economy is showing signs of improvement. The FY2013/14 growth projection has been revised upward from 3.1 percent to 3.3 percent, as economic...

This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that the United Arab Emirates has continued to benefit from its perceived safe-haven status amid regional instability. The economic recovery has been solid, supported by the tourism and hospitality sectors, and a rebounding real estate sector....

This Selected Issues paper focuses on the real estate market and Expo 2020 in the United Arab Emirates. It discusses the measures that could mitigate risks associated with the real estate cycle and the international experience with real estate booms and hosting large events such as World Expos,...

This Selected Issues paper investigates the macroeconomic impact of the Syria crisis on Jordan. It is indicated that the crisis: (1) had an overall negative impact on measured output growth-although anecdotal evidence suggests possibly a positive impact on output in the informal sector; (2)...

KEY ISSUES Context Economic activity accelerated in 2013 as oil output stabilized while non-oil growth continued at close to 10 percent. Inflation remained low and the external position strengthened further. President Aliyev won a third term in the October election. Favorable economic prospects...

This Selected Issues paper uses a bank-level panel dataset to investigate the determinants of bank interest spreads in Azerbaijan over 2002-2013. The dealership model of Ho and Saunders is applied, supplemented by market structure and macroeconomic environment variables, to assess the extent to...