This staff report on Iraq’s 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights economic policies and development. Risks to the macroeconomic outlook remain high. The risks can translate into lower oil revenues, deterioration in the fiscal position, pressures to use Central Bank of Iraq reserves for...

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...

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....

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that reforms initiated earlier this decade in Nigeria have averted the boom–bust pattern that characterized previous oil price cycles and better prepared the economy to deal with the global financial crisis. Non-oil growth averaged 9 percent...

This Selected Issues paper reviews the extent to which growth in Ethiopia has translated into higher living standards. A key feature of the economic strategy has been an explicit commitment to poverty reduction and structural transformation. This is underpinned by the vision of a...

Tunisia’s reliance on European countries for export earnings, tourism, remittances, and foreign direct investment inflows has remained high over the last decades. Remittances and tourism receipts have been broadly stable in percent of GDP, with somewhat more fluctuations in the latter...

This paper focuses on the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development (SCADD) for Burkina Faso. It provides an overview of a decade of development, takes stock of the recent performance of Burkina Faso in various areas, and identifies the main challenges. The paper spells out a...

The strategy adopted by Benin to strengthen its macroeconomic stability and promote private-investment-led growth has been detailed in the note. The statistical data on gross domestic product by sector of origin at current prices and at constant supply, production and producer prices of cotton,...

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...