This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina is enjoying its fourth consecutive year of stable growth underpinned by the currency board. Export growth of 29 percent on the back of productivity gains, export price increases, and improvements in reporting...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that Belarus experienced strong economic growth in 2004, supported by policies aimed at raising incomes and credit, and a favorable external environment. Inflation was halved during 2004, and slowed down further to 11 percent in April 2005, aided by a...

This paper discusses Ireland’s Fiscal Transparency Assessment. The Irish government has ambitious plans to improve further the timeliness, quality, and comprehensiveness of its budgets, statistics, and accounts. Ireland has the capacity and information to bring its fiscal transparency...

Economic activity stagnated in the first half of 2003, but recent indicators point to a gradual recovery. On product markets, there was agreement that progress had been secured over recent years, but also that Italy continued to suffer from insufficient competition in a number of protected...

Fiscal decentralization is likely to entail a bias in the budget process toward higher public expenses and deficits. The paper reviews lessons drawn from the theoretical literature and international experience on the design of intergovernmental relations. The institutional setup should address...

This paper presents Peru’s First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for SDR 172.37 million approved on January 26, 2007. Implementing sound macroeconomic policies and reforms would reduce vulnerabilities, entrench sustainable growth, and reduce poverty, setting the stage for a strong...

The global economic and financial crisis found the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a vulnerable position. The government put together a comprehensive program supported by the International Monetary Fund. The stabilization program has helped mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis...

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review Under the Staff Monitored Program (SMP) for Mauritania. Mauritania’s performance since the beginning of 2006 has been fully satisfactory. All quantitative targets and structural benchmarks under the SMP that covered the first six...

This paper discusses key findings of the Sixth Review under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI) for Cape Verde. Policy implementation under the PSI-supported program continues to be strong; all PSIs quantitative targets except for one at end-December 2008 were met. In 2009, real GDP growth is...

This paper discusses a request from Angola for a Stand-By-Arrangement (SBA). The requested SBA aims to support orderly policy adjustments to restore macroeconomic balances and rebuild international reserves. This program also includes a focused reform agenda aimed at medium-term structural...