In Q2, Russia's GDP contracted sharply, faced with domestic supply and demand, and terms of trade shocks. Yet supported by exports, GDP growth performed slightly above expectations. In the third quarter, as COVID-19 cases declined, restrictions eased and on the back of fiscal, monetary, and...

The recovery continued in the first semester of 2022, supported by nonhydrocarbon activity and crude oil production. The continuing high level of global hydrocarbon prices prolonged the upturn of external balances. The budget deficit is expected to narrow moderately in 2022, as the strong...

This report reviews Europe's experience in spearheading CE policy. Its aim is not only to highlight its features and accomplishments, but also identify existing barriers to future progress and key measures to overcome them. Its objective is dual: contributing to CE policy development within the...

The report identifies the need for reforms in five complementary areas to boost recovery, productivity, and economic transformation: 1) business regulatory environment; 2) foreign direct investment (FDI); 3) access to productive finance; 4) innovation and entrepreneurship; and 5) participation in...

Poland's economic development story is one of success: since the early 1990s, the country has transitioned to a market economy, integrated into the European Union economy and global supply chains and sustained robust growth, avoiding the middle-income trap and increasing the resilience of its...

This policy note highlights the important benefits that digital government can bring to a country's government and people. Specifically, it states the rationale for digital government transformation in Vietnam and lays out the what and how of a prioritization and sequencing strategy that can...

A small open economy, Benin has seen growth that is above average for the region. The volatility of high growth spells combined with low productivity growth has translated into limited gains in income per capita. Following its transition from low-income country to lower middle income country...