This Selected Issues Paper on Switzerland focuses on unprecedented currency appreciation and policy response. On September 6, 2011, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) surprised the market by explicitly committing to defending a floor of 1.20 on the exchange rate of EUR/CHF. The introduction of the...

This Selected Issues paper on the Kingdom of Lesotho reviews the broad objectives and key institutional features of the Common Monetary Area (CMA) relating to currency arrangements. The CMA Agreement provides for the three small member countries to have access to South African capital and money...

This paper focuses on Ex Post Assessment of Longer-Term Program Engagement for Guinea. Guinea’s stabilization and reform efforts have been almost continuously supported by IMF financial arrangements since 1987. The paper reviews developments under the last two IMF-supported programs...

The staff report for the 2008 Article IV Consultation of the Syrian Arab Republic on economic developments and policies is discussed. The impact of adverse global and regional developments currently under way on the Syrian economy is expected to be relatively moderate in the short term. The...

This technical note looks at the systemic risks stemming from the potential issuance of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in Sweden, as well as the growing significance of the Fintech sector. The Riksbank has been one of the pioneers in the analysis of CBDC, has recognized risks, and has put...

This paper on Uganda discusses Central Bank Transparency Code Review. The Bank of Uganda (BOU) is implementing transparency practices that are broadly aligned with the good practices for central banks. The BOU continues to improve communication of its monetary policy framework in a transparent...

The Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) has implemented expanded and comprehensive transparency practices in a number of areas, notably related to the primary mandate of price stability and the shared mandate of financial stability. This reflects the BAM's public commitment to transparency anchored in the new...

The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) sets a high benchmark for transparency, given the economic, and financial development and literacy circumstances of Seychelles, which is recognized by the stakeholders, thus maintaining a high level of trust and accountability. Despite constrained human...

The Bank of Canada (BOC) sets a high benchmark for transparency, which is recognized by its stakeholders, thus maintaining a high level of trust and accountability. The BOC's transparency practices are broadly aligned with expanded and comprehensive practices as defined by the IMF Central Bank...

This paper highlights Uruguay's Central Bank Transparency Code (CBT) Review. The Central Bank of Uruguay (BCU) is implementing transparency practices that are broadly aligned with the good practices for central banks. Improving communication with domestic and international stakeholders is a...