Economic growth has recovered, but higher food and fuel prices have sparked a sharp rise in inflation. Monetary policy has been tightened to contain core inflation and effects of the food and fuel price shocks. The government has allowed for scaling up of infrastructure investment spending. The...

Raising growth on a sustainable basis and addressing widespread poverty are the main challenges for Paraguay. The macroeconomic program for 2007 aims at raising growth and reducing inflation. IMF staff recommends that the next Article IV Consultation continues within the 24-month cycle, and...

Stronger policies, favorable external environment, and notable improvement in the humanitarian situation supported a nascent economic recovery in Zimbabwe. Executive Directors welcomed this, and urged authorities to take advantage of the favorable external environment to strengthen their...

Kosovo’s economy is slowing, although it continues to display resilience overall. The banking sector remains well capitalized, liquid, and profitable, notwithstanding a recent increase in nonperforming loans. The main downside risk to the outlook remains a possible deterioration in labor...

The Iranian economy recovered on the strength of international oil prices, strong rebound in agricultural sector, and rapid credit expansion. Inflation was contained while fiscal and external positions improved. Key policy priorities are to maintain short-term macroeconomic stability, transition...

This paper discusses key findings of the First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Guatemala. The fiscal deficit is increasing owing to a sharp decline in revenues, associated with the contraction in imports and domestic demand. The policy interest rate has been cut. All quantitative...

This paper focuses on the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for Togo. The SMP aims to support the preparation of a realistic 2007 budget, with a moderate primary adjustment; anchor budget execution in a pre-election period; strengthening fiscal governance, especially on expenditure management;...

The Bahamas depends heavily on tourism and financial services. Executive Directors have commended the strong track record of prudent macroeconomic management, but have encouraged the government to broaden the domestic tax base, reduce distortions, increase the resilience of revenues to shocks,...

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review and Financing Assurances Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Latvia. The sharp economic downturn is starting to bottom out, although recovery has not yet begun. The authorities have implemented the June 2009 supplementary budget, and...

This 2010 Article IV Consultation highlights that Egypt has weathered the global financial crisis relatively well and financial market pressures have eased after the initial outflow. Equity prices plateaued in recent months, after having recovered over half of the losses since the April 2008...