Long-term issues continue to dominate the economic policy agenda. The economy is expected to grow at a moderate pace. The challenge from aging is becoming more pressing, calling for sustained fiscal consolidation. The elaboration of a medium-term fiscal framework based on expenditure growth...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic activity in Tonga rebounded modestly in 2001/02, as real GDP growth accelerated from about ½ percent in 2000/01 (fiscal year July–June) to 1½ percent in 2001/02. Conditions in agriculture improved owing to record-high...

This paper examines Cambodia’s 2002 Article IV Consultation and Sixth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Supported by inflows of development aid, economic activity regained vitality in 1999. The government’s macroeconomic strategy, which was supported by...

This paper discusses the Fifth Review Under the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for Afghanistan. The authorities met all the end-June 2005 indicative quantitative targets and structural benchmarks under the SMP. Economic developments were broadly in line with the program projections made at the...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that in 2003, the economy of Ireland rebounded with GNP growing by almost 3 percent. Recent indicators suggest that activity has continued to strengthen in 2004. During 2003, inflation decelerated and is now close to the euro area average. Most...

This report reviews the Observance of Standards and Codes on the Fiscal Transparency Module for Samoa. The assessment reveals that as a result of reforms over a number of years, Samoa has made substantial progress in improving fiscal transparency and now meets the standards in the Fiscal...

The paper discusses the consideration of Honduras’s Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC). The interim relief provided under the enhanced HIPC Initiative has allowed the government to increase social spending. Controlling the public sector wage bill and...

This paper examines the Republic of Lithuania’s 2001 Article IV Consultation and First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement. The macroeconomic objectives for 2001 are expected to be largely attained and all end-September performance criteria and structural benchmarks were met. The...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic activity in Germany is slowly picking up, and there is scope for some further firming of growth in the course of 2006. The recovery, however, remains unbalanced, and strong exports have yet to feed through into higher household spending....

This paper discusses the Kyrgyz Republic’s First Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. The current account deficit remained broadly unchanged because of a significant increase in workers’ remittances, mainly from Russia and Kazakhstan. Large negative errors and...