With the resumption in growth, the economic recession triggered by the Russian crisis has ended. Additional efforts will be needed to reduce the current account deficit and increase its financing. The IMF staff commend the intention to streamline tax benefits granted to enterprises and to...

The staff report for the 2005 Article IV Consultation on the Republic of Latvia highlights the economic outlook and mid-term risks. A sound policy framework and far-reaching structural reforms supported this performance, including a prudent fiscal policy that underpinned the exchange rate peg....

This paper focuses on the Republic of Latvia’s First and Second Reviews Under the Stand-By Arrangement and a Request for a Waiver of a Performance Criterion. Latvia has continued to follow prudent macroeconomic policies. All performance criteria under the IMF-supported program have been...

This 2001 Article IV Consultation highlights that Latvia has enjoyed a strong economic performance since the last Article IV Consultation in June 2000. Real GDP growth was 61⁄2 percent in 2000 and accelerated to 83⁄4 percent in the first half of 2001; growth has been led primarily by investment....

Latvia's economy has emerged from the recession triggered by the Russian crisis. Executive Directors commended the strong economic growth and low inflation. They appreciated the open and liberal trade system and the soundness of the banking system. They emphasized the need to maintain fiscal and...

This 2003 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Republic of Latvia has enjoyed continued strong economic performance since the last Article IV Consultation in January 2002. Real GDP growth was 7.9 percent in 2001 and 6.1 percent in 2002; growth has been led by investment and, more recently,...

This 1999 Article IV Consultation highlights that macroeconomic developments in Latvia were severely affected by the Russian economic crisis. Real GDP declined by 1.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 1998, and further contraction is estimated for the first quarter of 1999. As a consequence, the...