This Selected Issues paper on Kuwait reviews its economic development strategy and uses a variety of analytical methods to highlight Kuwait’s policy challenges and their effectiveness. Kuwait has accumulated large fiscal surpluses, enabling it to build up a sizable asset position for...

This paper discusses Bhutan’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The Royal Government of Bhutan has initiated the PRSP process as part of broader ongoing efforts to combat poverty. The main objective of the PRSP process is to strengthen the strategic framework for poverty reduction,...

This paper presents the Joint Staff Assessment of the State Program on Poverty Reduction and Economic Development 2003–2005 (SPPRED)—the first full Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of Azerbaijan. The SPPRED represents a joint effort between the government and civil society...

This paper reviews Guyana’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) Progress Report 2004. In spite of many challenges, the government made progress in implementing its Poverty Reduction Program. In particular, it pursued prudent macroeconomic policies, which improved economic fundamentals...

This paper examines Lesotho’s Sixth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria. Real GDP growth slowed to 3¼ percent in 2003/04 (April-March) owing to the adverse impact of drought on agricultural output...

In 2003, Guinea's macroeconomic management deteriorated significantly, and the prospects for 2003 are uncertain at best. Performance under the 2002–03 poverty reduction and growth facility (PRGF)-supported program is weak. The main challenge is to promote and sustain the strong private...