This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that Georgia’s economy has performed well over the last two years, and the fiscal turnaround has been impressive. Since the change in government in late 2003, Georgia has demonstrated strong fiscal performance and a renewed commitment to press...

Gabon continues to enjoy record high oil prices, buoying both exports and government revenues. The critical medium-term challenge facing Gabon is managing the transition from an economy highly dependent on oil to a diversified economy that harnesses private sector initiative, and makes decisive...

The staff report for the First Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania explains the macroeconomic outlook and fiscal policy. Despite a substantial oil revenue shortfall, the fiscal deficit target was...

Mauritania was one of the countries to reach the completion point under the enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries. The revised fiscal, balance of payments, and monetary data, including data on commercial banks, revealed that the main program parameters were missed by large...

Economic growth in Swaziland has weakened over the past decade. This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that real GDP growth decelerated to 2.1 percent in 2004 and an estimated 1.8 percent in 2005. A prolonged drought affected agricultural output, particularly maize, the main staple crop,...

Despite the impact of Hurricane Ivan, the economic activity of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has strengthened. Executive Directors welcomed the developments and the tax policy aimed to broaden the tax base and reduce concessions. They appreciated the home-grown Interim Poverty Reduction...

Bangladesh is reducing poverty and making headway toward meeting its MDGs. However, political considerations are exerting an increasing influence on economic policy decisions. The overall fiscal balance has been kept below budget and program targets, notwithstanding sizable revenue slippages....

This paper discusses key findings of the Seventh Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Dominica. Policy implementation under the program has remained strong. All end-June 2006 performance criteria were met, and all indicative targets for end-June and end-September...