This paper presents the primary institutions and economic policies that have led to Chile’s remarkable record of stability and growth over the past twenty years. The core of this policy stance is the combination of fiscal discipline and an open trade policy regime, together with carefully...

The key policy challenge for Turkey in the years ahead will be to enhance and consolidate the advances made since the nation’s 2000-01 economic crisis. Higher growth could reduce unemployment and raise living standards toward European Union levels. This paper reviews Turkey’s...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that the overall budget balance of Algeria weakened in 2001 and the first half of 2002. This deterioration mainly reflected higher spending and a decline in hydrocarbon revenues owing to a reduction in volumes and prices. The overall balance dropped...

This paper assesses Uruguay’s Seventh Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion. The favorable program results reflect prudent macroeconomic policies and important banking reforms, although progress with other structural reforms...

Madagascar showed satisfactory performance under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program. Executive Directors agreed that the crisis has undermined the timely achievement of the program, requiring the government to redouble its efforts. They welcomed the 2003 budget and stressed...

This paper presents Post-Program Monitoring Discussions for Indonesia. Macroeconomic and financial market developments were on the whole favorable in 2004. Inflation, after a temporary increase, peaking at 7¼ percent (y/y) in July, edged back down, ending the year at 6½ percent. External...

Vietnam's macroeconomic performance has been strong, fueled by strong export performance, poverty reduction, and domestic investment. Executive Directors welcomed this development, and stressed the need for strong monetary, exchange rate, and fiscal policies. They appreciated the prudent...

This paper examines Uruguay’s Fourth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Requests for Modification of the Arrangement. The macroeconomic framework is broadly on track, but progress with structural reform has lagged. With regard to the quantitative performance criteria, there was a...

This paper examines Tajikistan’s Third Review of the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and Request for Waiver of Performance Criterion. Performance under the PRGF has been generally satisfactory. All quantitative performance criteria, two of...

This paper examines Turkey’s Seventh Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement, and Requests for Waiver of Applicability and Nonobservance of Performance Criteria. Successful macroeconomic management delivered an impressive economic performance in 2003. However, budget slippages interrupted...