Côte d’Ivoire’s request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility is discussed. Côte d’Ivoire is making progress toward reunification, peace, and elections. Côte d’Ivoire’s economy has been resilient to the global downturn, but there are...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that Côte d’Ivoire’s crisis has taken a heavy toll on growth and social conditions. Per capita income fell by one-sixth, poverty rose, and many social indicators worsened. These developments have also hurt regional trade and output. The external...

Despite abundant natural resources and arable land, Guinea-Bissau is ranked at the lowest end of the UN human development index, mainly because of the civil war of 1998–99 and the ensuing prolonged political instability and serious governance deficiencies thereafter. Since mid-2004,...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that Sudan’s economic performance in 2012 was unfavorable despite the introduction in June 2012 of a package of reforms. Non-oil real GDP growth slowed to 4.6 percent, inflation rose to 44.4 percent by the end of the year, and the gap between...

This staff report discusses the Republic of Kosovo’s request for a Stand-By Arrangement. Kosovo is in the final stages of transition to full self-governance in economic and financial affairs. Kosovo’s economy has remained largely shielded from turbulence in the euro area, owing to...

The staff report for Bolivia’s 2009 Article IV Consultation describes economic developments and policies. The impact of the global recession on Bolivia has been milder than in other countries in the region. Lower commodity exports and remittances have resulted in a sharp narrowing of the...

This paper discusses key findings of the Fifth Review for Afghanistan under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Performance under the PRGF-supported program has been mixed. Monetary and financial policies were broadly consistent with the program. However, difficulties were evident...

This paper discusses key findings of the Fourth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Afghanistan and a Request for Waiver of Performance Criterion. Program performance during the second half of 2007/08 fell short of expectations. The performance criterion on fiscal...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation for the Netherlands Antilles’ reports that economic growth has been feeble so far in this decade, in the midst of economic policy drift. Growth has been constrained by still inflexible labor markets, widespread state ownership and interference in...

Zambia’s nonperforming loans are expected to increase and banks have become more cautious in their lending. The staff report for the Zambia’s first and second reviews of the Three-Year Arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and request for Waivers of...