This paper discusses an arrangement under the Flexible Credit Line (FCL) for Colombia. Colombia is well placed to confront challenges posed by the ongoing global downturn. Access under an FCL arrangement of SDR 6.966 billion, which the authorities intend to treat as precautionary, would support...

This report focuses on Colombia’s economic policy framework and the policy response to the global crisis. In recent years, Colombia’s policies strengthened a strong macroeconomic performance, which helped in achieving higher tax revenues and restraint on current spending. Colombia was not...

The key findings of Colombia’s 2010 Article IV Consultation on economic developments and policies are presented. The Colombian economy had begun to slow down in early 2008, as policies had been tightened to address overheating, but the global crisis caused private investment to collapse in the...

This Selected Issues paper on Colombia shows that achieving investment grade status would help lower financing costs for the sovereign, and expand the pool of potential buyers of the Colombian economy. Colombia’s debt levels as of end-2008 were broadly similar to the average for investment...

Since 1999, economic policies have sought to place the country on a path of sustainable growth, which would help reduce unemployment and poverty. The authorities have begun to address the risk of overheating, although demand policies may need to be tightened further. Monetary policy will be...

In recent years, Colombia has found several innovative ways to improve the efficiency of its public enterprise sector. One option used by Colombia to reform public enterprises has been to enhance their commercial orientation and limit the fiscal risk. If a public enterprise is considered...

This paper discusses Colombia Third Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion. Under the authorities’ program, economic performance has improved considerably. Real GDP rose by 3.7 percent in 2003 and 3.8 percent in the first...

The program made good progress toward creating the conditions for faster sustained growth over the medium term. The economic policies aim to preserve the program's macroeconomic framework. Fiscal policy is expected to stay on a sustainable path. The central bank has been successful in achieving...