Fiscal problems have long been considered a central feature of financial--that is, currency, debt, and banking--crises. This paper addresses four questions: What are the fiscal causes of crises? Which fiscal vulnerability indicators help to predict crises? Can fiscal variables explain the...

Niger’s First Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, and Requests for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria and Augmentation of Access are discussed. The sharp rise in food prices pushed up inflation in 2005, while the food shortage affected one-fourth of the...

Burkina Faso’s Second and Third Reviews Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and Requests for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria are examined. Fiscal policy for 2005 aims at preserving social sector outlays while ensuring that the external debt burden falls....

Poverty in Nepal remains pervasive owing to insufficient growth and inadequate targeting under the poverty alleviation programs. Executive Directors stressed the need to implement strong fiscal and monetary policies and accelerate structural reforms. They welcomed the Poverty Reduction Strategy...

This paper highlights Mozambique’s 2005 Article IV Consultation, Second Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria, and Modification of Performance Criteria. The performance under the program...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that since the conclusion of the last Article IV consultation in March 2001, Uganda has continued to implement disciplined financial policies and sound structural reforms that have helped to sustain robust economic growth despite an adverse external...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that Papua New Guinea’s macroeconomic performance has improved from mid-2003, helped importantly by the favorable temporary factors that boosted the mineral and agricultural sectors. In 2003, real GDP is estimated to have grown by 2.7 percent,...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that in 2003, Guinea’s economic situation deteriorated on account of exogenous conditions, as well as poor macroeconomic management and the lack of progress in key structural areas. Annual real GDP growth slowed down from 4.2 percent in 2002 to...

The staff report for the Request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility highlights Benin’s economic developments and progress in structural reforms. Benin experienced a decade of good economic performance, but poverty reduction remains a concern....