The staff report for the 2006 Article IV Consultation on Antigua and Barbuda highlights the economic backdrop and outlook for restoring sound public finances. The government of Antigua and Barbuda has adopted an ambitious reform program in its endeavor to pull the economy from decades of fiscal...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that data for the first half of 2005 point to a widening fiscal deficit for Antigua and Barbuda. A combination of a reduction in capital spending and some improvement in revenues following a tightening of the concessions regime resulted in a closing...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that a number of factors have constrained Cameroon’s growth potential relative to the group of lower-middle-income economies, including lower investment rate, shallower financial depth, less open trade; weaker infrastructure and human capital base;...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that over the last decade, Albania’s macroeconomic performance has generally been strong and per capita GDP in U.S. dollar terms more than doubled. Strong fiscal policy, largely based on major improvements in tax administration, lowered public...

This study focused on environmental tax measures, and on allocation, pricing, and taxation of Iceland’s major hydropower and geothermal resources. Measures to secure the tax base for the corporate income tax (CIT) are proposed. Taxation of the financial sector can be improved by a number...

The staff report for the Review of the Staff-Monitored Program and Request for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility highlights economic developments and performance. Fiscal consolidation efforts were sustained, and public finances improved markedly in the...

This paper presents an overview of recent U.S. fiscal developments and discusses possible implications of the sharp turn around in the government’s fiscal position. Against this back ground, it also reviews key policy challenges that will need to be addressed to cope with the mounting...

Madagascar showed strong economic growth and low inflation under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) Arrangement. Executive Directors commended these developments, and stressed the need to restore fiscal discipline, improve governance, strengthen the business climate to encourage...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation for Ireland reports that economic performance has been impressive, owing in significant measure to sound policies. In line with the global cycle, growth picked up strongly in 2004. Rapid employment growth has been supported by immigration, so the unemployment...

Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) showed commendable growth owing to its strong macroeconomic performance and structural reforms under the economic program. Executive Directors commended the fiscal performance, bank restructuring, and the private sector developments, and stressed the...