In this study, despite recovery in the aftermath of the global crisis, the following challenges faced by Mauritania are discussed: vulnerability to external shocks, an insufficiently diversified economy, weak business climate, lack of fiscal space, and high unemployment and poverty rates. The...

Angola’s economy was badly buffeted by the sharp drop in global oil prices. Policy discussions for the review focused on the 2011 budget, the handling of the arrears problem, monetary and exchange rate policies, and key elements of the authorities’ administrative and policy reform...

Angola has made significant progress toward economic stabilization. Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), the government’s key fiscal anchor is the non-oil primary fiscal deficit (NOPD), and the revised 2010 budget is determined to avoid any increase in the non-oil primary deficit. Policy...

The performance of the Gambian economy has been strong in recent years. The authorities noted that in addition to providing financial resources, the program has helped to restore compliance with the rules on government borrowing from the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) following securitization...

Malta weathered the global recession relatively well. Real estate prices and collateral values experienced some correction and appear to have stabilized more recently, but excess supply likely remains in segments of the market. Continued progress with structural reforms will also be important to...

This paper focuses on the observance of standards and codes on fiscal transparency for Switzerland. The assessment reveals that the fiscal role of the executive and legislative branches of government, and the legal framework for the management of federal public finances, are clearly defined. The...

In this note, the authors reexamine the issue of debt sustainability in a large group of advanced economies. Their hypothesis is that, when debt is in a moderate range, its dynamics are sustainable in the sense that increases in debt elicit sufficient increases in primary fiscal balances to...

Despite the global financial and economic crisis, implementation of the government’s economic and financial program was broadly satisfactory. Growth was sustained, and the balance of payments improved markedly. The implementation of structural reforms with regard to state enterprises and...

The review highlights that the government of Guinea-Bissau maintained macroeconomic stability under challenging circumstances. The government implemented satisfactory policies under the IMF supported program even in severe conditions. The authorities have met all performance criteria and all...

The Second Review under the policy support instrument (PSI) highlights that Senegal’s economy has remained resilient to the global economic turmoil. In line with the authorities’ new Document of Economic and Social Policies for 2011–15, the 2012 economic program supported...