EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context. The Zimbabwean authorities have made progress in implementing their macroeconomic and structural reform programs, despite the economic and financial difficulties. During 2015, the authorities’ policy reform agenda will continue to focus on: (a) reducing the primary...

This paper presents key findings of the First Review under the Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) for the Republic of Serbia. The banking system of Serbia has weathered the external shocks well, but credit is slowing sharply. To safeguard economic stability in this markedly deteriorated environment, the...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic activity in Cyprus has recovered from a relatively weak performance in 2002–03. Declines in interest rates and strong capital inflows associated with Cyprus’s accession to the European Union in May 2004 spurred growth in private...

The staff report for the 2007 Article IV Consultation on the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) explains economic performance. Growth is robust and increasingly reliant on large export-oriented mining and hydropower projects. The economic outlook is promising, but the outcome clearly...

Iraq’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that there has been a marked deterioration in Iraq’s human development indicators over the last twenty years. There is relatively little firm data on the balance of payments other than on oil exports, government imports of goods and services, and...

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 the...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that macroeconomic imbalances in Serbia and Montenegro widened in 2004, putting at risk some of the impressive earlier achievements. Growth, about 5 percent in nonagriculture since 2002, has been fueled by a surge in domestic demand. Lack of...

This paper discusses Colombia’s 2005 Article IV Consultation, Fourth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), and Requests for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria. Real economic growth in Colombia recovered to 4 percent a year in 2003–04. The national unemployment rate...

Over the last two decades, Tunisia has carried out a wide ranging reform program based on improving the competitiveness of the economy, enhancing the business environment, and increasing trade openness. Tunisia weathered the international crisis relatively well. Tunisia growth could reach 3.8...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that Argentina’s economy has rebounded strongly from the financial crisis in late 2001. Reflecting buoyant domestic demand, real GDP grew close to 9 percent in both 2003 and 2004, bringing real output level back to the peak level achieved prior to...