In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country

This paper examines Madagascar’s 2002 Article IV Consultation, Second Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and Requests for Extension of Arrangement. Madagascar’s performance under the PRGF-supported program in 2001 was strong, with the exception of weak revenue...

In the fiscal area, the primary budget balance of São Tomé and Príncipe has turned around from a deficit of 2.2 percent of GDP in 1997 to a surplus of 0.7 percent of GDP in 1998 (Dobra 1.9 billion). The primary surplus is estimated to have increased further to 1.3 percent of GDP in 1999....

The staff report for the First Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) Arrangement highlights Grenada’s economic performance in many respects. The time needed to address the unregulated bank, as well as fiscal slippages and the slow pace of structural reform, delayed...

Zambia’s nonperforming loans are expected to increase and banks have become more cautious in their lending. The staff report for the Zambia’s first and second reviews of the Three-Year Arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and request for Waivers of Nonobservance of...

This paper examines the Republic of Moldova’s Fourth Review under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion. Investors have been attracted by Moldova’s low costs, and export prospects have improved with the resumption of wine...

This paper discusses an assessment of Comoros’s performance Under the Program Supported by the Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance (EPCA). Overall performance under the EPCA-supported program has been broadly satisfactory. Nearly all EPCA performance indicators for end-March 2009 were observed....

Benin’s Fifth Review under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and request for waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria are discussed. The main challenge ahead is to limit inflation pressures from higher food and fuel prices while sustaining medium-term fiscal consolidation and...

This paper presents findings of the Third Review under the poverty reduction and growth facility arrangement for Kenya. The sharp spending increase budgeted for 2007/08 could exert pressures on domestic prices and compromise project quality, but the authorities are taking steps to mitigate these...