In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that real GDP growth has slowed following the decline in oil prices, the non-oil fiscal position has become tighter, and banks’ financial situation has weakened. The recent approval of an ambitious energy price...

Economic growth in Equatorial Guinea recovered sharply in 2007. The opening of a new oil field in late 2006 and a liquefied natural gas facility in mid-2007, supported by increased public infrastructure spending, lifted 2007 economic growth to an estimated 21.4 percent. Executive Directors have...

Sudan’s economic prospects are good, but risks remain. The report states that strong actions were taken for Government Finance Statistics Manuals and Guides (GFSM) implementation for monitoring domestic arrears under the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP). The need to maintain macroeconomic...

This paper presents an overview of recent U.S. fiscal developments and discusses possible implications of the sharp turn around in the government’s fiscal position. Against this back ground, it also reviews key policy challenges that will need to be addressed to cope with the mounting...

The Syrian Arab Republic’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that progress had been made on structural reforms, including a simplification of the exchange rate system, and the adoption of a new income tax law. Rising international oil prices starting in mid-1999 helped maintain...

This Selected Issues paper assesses the distributional effects of increased fuel prices on Mali. The paper applies cointegration analysis to simulate the evolution of Mali’s long-term equilibrium real exchange rate during the period 1982–2004. It assesses the impact of structural...

Tanzania’s performance ranks among the best for non-oil exporting countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2008/09 budget will aim at maintaining hard-won fiscal stability in the face of large spending needs and uncertain financing. Tighter budget constraints highlight the need to further...

Equatorial Guinea’s macroeconomic performance in the recent period has been broadly satisfactory. Despite the macroeconomic environment, however, progress in alleviating poverty and meeting the MDGs has been slow. Executive Directors welcome the government’s intention to prepare a...

Equatorial Guinea has recorded one of Africa’s fastest growth rates, as its petroleum industry has expanded and strengthened the country’s economic and fiscal sustainability. Executive Directors endorsed the National Development Plan to enhance productivity and achieve the MDGs....