This paper investigates the meaning of the bottom of target bands in inflation targeting regimes. It is argued that the design of lower limits on target bands, if not done with care, can lead to a lack of transparency, potentially confusing markets about how the authorities will react to a fall...

This 2015 Article IV Consultation highlights that Israel's economy has been doing well and near-term growth prospects are favorable. Following growth of 2.6 percent in 2014, the economy is expected to expand by about 2.5 percent in 2015 and 3-3.3 percent each year in the medium term. Employment...

This Selected Issues paper examines labor productivity in Israel. Israel's GDP per capita is low relative to the United States despite high labor input, as labor productivity is low. Catch-up of labor productivity to the United States stopped in the 1980s and relative labor productivity has...

This paper presents an update to the Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes Fiscal Sector Modules for Israel. The 2000–01 Financial Sector Assessment Program mission assessed Israel’s compliance with the Basel Core Principles for effective banking supervision. Israel was found...

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is provided to support the work of the ‘Sheshinski II’ committee in reviewing the fiscal regime for mining. Mining is, and will remain, relatively minor both as a source of government revenue and within the wider economy. Nonetheless, it is important that the...

The paper provides an overview of the role of the fiscal imbalances and the ensuing public debt in explaining major episodes in Israel’s recent economic developments. The main conclusions from the Israeli budgetary developments may have more general validity: (a) deficits lead to inflation and...

The purpose of this paper is to implement empirically the new theory of exchange rate targeting. The theory formulates an expectations induced relationship between the exchange rate and the fundamental subject to random shocks and target zone constraints. By using monthly data for a...

The Israeli financial system has been growing strong in the wake of a twin process of disinflation and structural transformation. The Bank of Israel plays a key role in liquidity management and absorbing liquidity shocks. All key financial sector activities, except payment systems, are...

This paper estimates measures of potential output for Israel, with the aim of providing evidence on whether the recent growth slowdown is principally a cyclical slowdown or a structural shift toward a slower growth path after the dramatic developments associated with the years of heavy...