The discussions centered on the needed steps to tighten monetary conditions, curb banks’ external borrowing, and reduce banks’ vulnerability to a sharp deterioration in the quality of loan portfolios. Strong expansion in oil and non-oil receipts in 2005 permitted continued rapid...

This Article 2008 IV Consultation highlights that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s economy has been exhibiting robust growth, but imbalances have emerged. The current account deficit has widened and underlying inflation has picked up. Procyclical fiscal policy has added to these imbalances....

This paper presents the staff report on the Republic of Mozambique’s Third Review under the policy support instrument. Mozambique is vulnerable to the global financial crisis and economic slowdown. Lower import prices will help reduce inflation and likely benefit the trade balance. Lower...

The staff report for The Bahamas’s 2009 Article IV Consultation examines economic developments and policies. The financial sector, including the offshore sector, accounts for about 20 percent of economic activity. Exchange controls are maintained on capital transactions, narrowing the...

The Article IV Consultation with the Kingdom of Swaziland discusses efforts to broaden the tax base and improve tax administration, in particular through the introduction of a value-added tax and the establishment of a Revenue Authority. The depreciation of the nominal exchange rate along with...

Economic stability of the Philippines was discussed in this report. Private investment remained low by regional standards, but there are tentative signs of a revival. These developments and favorable global conditions led to a surge in foreign exchange inflows and the external value of the peso....

The staff report for Rwanda’s combined 2008 Article IV Consultation, Fifth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion is examined. Sound macroeconomic and structural policies...

Mozambique continues to show a strong economic performance. The inflation expectations require a tightening of the macroeconomic policy mix. Executive Directors commended the role of government in sustaining economic growth by accelerating the public investment program. Engaging development...

The current account deficit in Bulgaria, which doubled in 2005 to 11.8 percent of GDP, deteriorated further to 14.6 percent of GDP during the first four months of 2006. The current account deficit continues to be substantially financed by foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. Fiscal policy has...

The staff report for the First Review under the Policy Support Instrument and Modifications to Assessment Criteria discusses Uganda’s medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF). The MTEF aims at higher public savings based on spending restraint and a rising domestic revenue ratio. The Bank...