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...

Performance under the program has been satisfactory. Real GDP growth is higher than estimated owing to substantially higher than projected agricultural production. Burkina Faso continues to depend heavily on external assistance and on cotton exports, and is highly vulnerable to terms-of-trade...

This paper discusses the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative in the perspective of sizable historical debt relief and large positive net resource flows to HIPCs. It argues that, by substantially reducing HIPCs’ debt stocks and debt service payments, the Initiative provides a...

The Latvian authorities have strengthened their intervention capacity, financial supervision, and monitoring framework, and have taken steps to contain risks in Parex Bank. The staff report reviews the Republic of Latvia’s economic developments and policies. Substantial progress has been...

As in other advanced economies, there has been a significant run-up of household debt in Sweden during the last two decades accompanied by rising housing prices, prompting concerns about sustainability and the implications for financial stability. The rise in household debt and the banking...

The labor market remains weak, disinflation has slowed, but falling wages are improving competitiveness. The weak economic environment is putting pressure on the banking sector. Financial conditions have deteriorated recently because of international financial market tensions. The Bank of Latvia...

This paper assesses Burkina Faso’s 2003 Article IV Consultation and a Request for a New Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Burkina Faso’s performance under PRGF-supported programs during 1993–2002 and in implementing the policy...

This paper discusses the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’s Sixth Review under the Three-Year Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion. Mauritania’s current account deficit has been significantly widened due to higher infrastructure...

The staff report for the 2013 Article IV Consultation for the Republic of Mozambique focuses on the development agenda and appropriate policy priorities to successfully transition to a resource-rich era. These priorities include skillful medium-term management of the impact of developing coal...

This paper discusses Guinea’s Second Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility, Requests for Modifications of Performance Criteria and Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion, and Financing Assurances. Growth is projected at 4.5 percent for 2013,...