This Financial Sector Stability Assessment report reviews economic development and different fiscal policies in Austria. The global crisis has revealed weaknesses in Austria’s financial stability policy framework, and recent changes at the European levels provide an opportunity to address...

Owing to the high dependence of its exports on countries and commodities, Finland experienced the worst recession in the euro area. Executive Directors encouraged authorities to focus on improving bank cost efficiency, preventing excessive risk taking, and limiting liquidity and funding risks....

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Sweden has been hit hard by the global financial crisis. Two of its banks built up large exposures in the Baltics that significantly increased loan losses beyond normal recessionary levels. In response to the crisis, the authorities have taken...

Even though the Russian authorities have maintained financial stability at the time of a major global shock, the financial system is still weak. The crisis has set back progress toward a strong, competitive banking system for the future. The recent unification of the supervision of nonbank...

Staff Discussion Notes showcase the latest policy-related analysis and research being developed by individual IMF staff and are published to elicit comment and to further debate. These papers are generally brief and written in nontechnical language, and so are aimed at a broad audience...

Following an extended period of strong economic performance, Vietnam is facing considerable challenges. Growth moderated to 6.2 percent in 2008. Rapid credit growth fueled by massive capital inflows, coupled with a surge in commodity prices, led to high inflation and large trade deficits in the...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that despite initial resilience partly explained by high wage growth and accelerated government spending in Greece, growth slowed substantially in early 2009. The main driving forces were lower investment and exports, destocking, and a decline in...

This paper discusses the 2006 Article IV Consultation for Moldova and Request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. The economic growth of Moldova has continued to be robust, although the drivers of growth—household consumption and...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Lithuanian economy is undergoing a severe adjustment, after years of rapid economic growth and financial integration. With the global financial crisis, the unwinding of the imbalances accumulated during the boom has led to a sharp economic...

Improvements in macroeconomic conditions are encouraging, and the current macroeconomic framework for 2006 and 2007 remains valid in Paraguay. The strong fiscal performance has applied also to the rest of the public sector. The authorities have submitted a budget proposal for 2007 that preserves...