The Syrian Arab Republic’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that progress had been made on structural reforms, including a simplification of the exchange rate system, and the adoption of a new income tax law. Rising international oil prices starting in mid-1999 helped maintain...

This paper assesses Niger’s Fourth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and Requests for Waiver of Performance Criterion and for Additional Interim Assistance Under the Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries...

This paper examines Zambia’s 2003 Article IV Consultation and Ex Post Assessment of Performance Under IMF-Supported Programs. Zambia’s economic performance has improved significantly in the last four years. After more than two decades of economic decline and inflation averaging...

This paper focuses on Niger’s 2004 Article IV Consultation, Sixth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, and Request for Waiver of Performance Criterion. Niger’s macroeconomic performance has been satisfactory in 2002 and 2003,...

Executive Directors commend the government for their continued commitment to restore macroeconomic stability and implement structural reforms to establish the foundation for high rates of economic growth and poverty reduction. The medium-term economic strategy is appropriate. The risks to the...

The economy has thus far been fairly resilient to recent political uncertainties, although the reform process has been adversely affected. Continued growth will depend to a large extent on higher private investment, which will require further improvements in governance and the implementation of...

Niger’s sociopolitical environment remains fragile, with a continuation in early 2003 of the social tensions that surfaced in 2002. In the wake of a satisfactory macroeconomic performance in 2002, activity has continued to be buoyant in all sectors of the economy, particularly in the...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic growth in El Salvador in recent years has been dampened by adverse external conditions, major earthquakes, and election-related uncertainties. Real GDP growth is estimated at about 1½ percent in 2004 while inflation picked up to more...

This paper reviews the request from the São Tomé and Príncipe authorities for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). In 2004, the economy continued to grow at a moderate pace, but inflation increased to 15 percent by year-end, as bank credit to the...

This paper examines Albania’s 2002 Article IV Consultation, First Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and Requests for Modification and Waiver of Performance Criterion. Economic growth appears to have fallen below a 7 percent...