This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that real GDP growth of Mauritius is expected to rebound to about 4½ percent in 2003/04. This largely reflects the recovery of tourism and sugar production, and continued strong construction and transportation activity. The current account is...

There is an urgent need to re-establish a viable external position through a comprehensive, swift, and sustained policy adjustment. The fiscal adjustment will need to rest on both wide-ranging tax revenue measures and substantial expenditure restraint, including a freeze of current expenditure....

Trinidad and Tobago has enjoyed positive growth, low inflation, and a steady decline in unemployment, but challenges remain. Executive Directors commended the prudent management, and stressed the need for a macroeconomic framework underpinned by a three-year rolling budget and pension reform....

In the aftermath of adverse supply shocks, and with further measures to promote investment, growth of production and exports is expected to recover. Efforts to remove barriers to investment and ensure a reliable provision of electricity are critical to private-sector-led growth. External...

This paper reviews the IMF’s discussions with Eastern Caribbean Currency Union’s (ECCU) regional institutions. Discussions focused on the outlook for 2003 and the policy responses needed to arrest the fiscal deterioration and to achieve consolidation over the medium term. Although...

The Arab Republic of Egypt’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that the externally driven recovery has gained steam underpinned by a moderate revival in consumption and improved confidence. The Egyptian pound has appreciated, the stock market has reached record highs, and the current...

Tanzania showed strong economic growth owing to its sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms, under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) Arrangement. Executive Directors commended this step, and emphasized for higher revenue mobilization through reforms of tax...

This paper on the Baltic countries analyzes medium-term fiscal issues related to European Union (EU) and NATO accession. The paper supports the Baltic authorities’ intention to aim at balancing their budgets over the economic cycle. The paper describes the Baltics’ current fiscal...

The staff report for the Request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility on Georgia focuses on economic developments and policies. The fiscal situation deteriorated sharply in 2003, especially because of a weakening in expenditure management and in tax...

This paper reviews the Interim Staff Report Under Intensified Surveillance for Jamaica. Following the adverse economic impact of Hurricane Ivan, the outlook for FY 2005/06 is for a rebound in growth in the context of broad macroeconomic stability. Real GDP growth slowed, and damage to...