This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that Japan’s external position remains strong. Boosted by investment income, the current account surplus widened in 2006 to nearly 4 percent of Japan’s GDP, despite a shrinking trade balance. Financial outflows also picked up, reflecting...

This paper focuses on the observance of standards and codes on fiscal transparency for Switzerland. The assessment reveals that the fiscal role of the executive and legislative branches of government, and the legal framework for the management of federal public finances, are clearly defined. The...

The government of the Kyrgyz Republic is determined to consolidate its finances over the coming years. This note describes the main elements of the tax regime in the Kyrgyz Republic, looks into tax incentives, and provides some reform options to raise revenues. The second note is on monetary...

This report on the Observance of Standards and Codes on Fiscal Transparency for the Republic of Tajikistan analyzes fiscal transparency practices against the requirements of the IMF Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency. In the context of sectoral reforms, the authorities intend to...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste remains fragile. Cumulative growth over the last three years was near zero—mainly reflecting the drawdown in the presence of international agencies. Unemployment is high, 40 percent of...

This report provides an assessment of fiscal transparency practices in Israel against the requirements of the IMF Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency. The assessment has two parts. The first part is a description of practice, prepared by the IMF staff on the basis of discussions with...

The staff report for the Fifth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility for the Republic of Azerbaijan focuses on the short-term macroeconomic outlook and monetary and exchange rate policies. Domestic demand has been increasing much faster than GDP partly on account of large oil...

This paper examines Azerbaijan Republic’s 2004 Article IV Consultation and Fourth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. A long-term oil revenue management strategy has been adopted by the authorities, targeting a path of non-oil deficits over the medium term that seeks...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic activity in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) has accelerated since mid-2003 owing to an acceleration of activity in the tourism and construction sectors. Inflation has been stable and monetary aggregates have been expanding...

This report examines the Observance of Standards and Codes on Fiscal Transparency for Spain. The assessment reveals that over the last several years, Spain has made major progress not only in macroeconomic and fiscal adjustment, but also in modernizing and strengthening its fiscal institutions...