Discussions centered on the preparations for the 2015/16 budget, and reforms to strengthen the financial sector and boost growth. The authorities have deepened their efforts in supporting their ambitious fiscal goals by strengthening public financial management and revenue administration, and...

On December 24, 2013, a tropical trough system impacted St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The heavy rains resulted in severe floods and landslides, with damages and losses estimated to be equivalent to about 15 percent of GDP. With most of the impact falling on infrastructure, including bridges,...

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...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement: On June 26th, 2014, the Executive Board approved a three-year arrangement for a total amount equivalent to SDR 14.04 million (about US$21.7 million, 120 percent of quota). The equivalent of SDR 2.04 million was disbursed upon approval...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This is the final review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The program contributed to maintaining macroeconomic stability, and there was progress on structural reforms. The authorities intend to request a successor arrangement under the ECF. A new finance...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Haiti's 2006 and 2010 Fund-supported programs started under very different circumstances but shared the main objectives of preserving macroeconomic stability and creating the conditions for a sustained growth takeoff through structural reform. The 2006 program started as Haiti...

Haiti’s recently completed arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) helped to maintain macroeconomic stability after the 2010 earthquake. While Haiti has seen four consecutive years of growth, reducing poverty requires higher and sustained growth rates

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Investment and growth prospects are gradually improving. Growth is projected to be about 2 percent in 2015/16, as the full-year impact of lower oil import costs and the recovery from last year’s drought materialize, and as improvements in the business climate and confidence...

Context and post-program performance: Macroeconomic conditions continued to improve, with the economy recording a second year of strong growth of about 6 percent, significantly higher than envisaged in the 9th Review. The fiscal balance has also been exceptionally strong, reflecting both robust...

This paper discusses Honduras’ First Reviews Under the Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) and Standby Credit Facility (SCF). Program implementation for the first reviews has been strong. All 2014 performance criteria and indicative targets were met, most with significant margins. The authorities have...