This 2016 Article IV Consultation highlights an estimated nearly 4.1 percent expansion in Malta's output in 2016, following average growth of nearly 8 percent in 2014-15, supported by strong domestic demand. Robust job creation drove unemployment to record lows, despite a rising supply of labor,...

This Selected Issues paper examines the vulnerability of firms in Malta and investigates the effect of their balance sheets on investment in innovation. The results indicate that, while the financial health of medium and large firms has improved in recent years, vulnerabilities remain in the...

This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights strong growth recorded by the Indian economy in recent years helped by a large terms-of-trade gain and positive policy actions. Inflation has remained low following the collapse in global commodity prices, a range of supply-side measures, and a...

This Selected Issues paper evaluates corporate and banking sector vulnerabilities in India. The analysis shows that while corporate sector risks have subsided, debt repayment capacity remains strained, and high leverage continues to weigh on corporate resilience, which may pose further risks to...

The Fifth Post-Program Monitoring Discussions with Portugal highlight a welcome upturn in growth in the second half of 2016 after a sluggish first half, boosted by stronger exports and a further decline in unemployment to precrisis levels. These developments point to an improved near-term...

This 2016 Article IV Consultation highlights Niger's macroeconomic outcomes, which continue to be affected by security and humanitarian shocks, weak commodity prices, and reduced trade flows to neighboring countries. For 2016, growth is projected at 4.6 percent, slightly higher than the 3.5...

This Selected Issues paper assesses the external stability of Niger. Niger's real effective exchange rate has been depreciating recently, echoing fluctuations of the euro against the US dollar. A model-based analysis of Niger's external sector suggests that the real effective exchange rate is...

This 2016 Article IV Consultation highlights a rebound in economic growth in the Islamic Republic of Iran over the course of 2016-17 based on higher oil production. Real GDP grew 7.4 percent in the first half of 2016-17, rebounding from the 2015-16 recession. However, growth in the non-oil...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes impediments to correspondent banking with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Even though international nuclear sanctions were lifted January 16, 2016, Iranian banks face protracted difficulties in reentering the international financial system through correspondent...

This 2016 Article IV Consultation highlights the Government of Somalia's continued significant efforts toward restoring its key economic and financial institutions despite a very difficult political environment. The Somali economy is expected to continue to be sustained by donor grants,...