This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that real GDP in the Federated States of Micronesia grew by only 11⁄2 percent in FY2005 and declined by nearly 1 percent in FY2006. The underlying fiscal situation has deteriorated, despite a decline in the overall deficit. Executive Directors have...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that with high oil prices and a significant policy stimulus, the Iranian economy continued to grow strongly in 2005–06. Real GDP growth is estimated at 51⁄2 percent. Oil GDP growth was modest owing to capacity constraints, while non-oil GDP growth...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic developments in Trinidad and Tobago continue to be underpinned by a favorable international environment. Surging energy prices, the exploitation of new gas fields, and an expansion of industrial capacity helped sustain robust economic...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that despite a difficult political environment, economic growth in Ecuador is estimated to have exceeded 3 percent in 2005, with the non-oil sector expanding by 31⁄2 percent. The strong growth in the oil sector that followed the completion of the...

Real output growth of the Republic of the Marshall Islands appears to have slowed sharply in FY2003 and again in FY2004. The 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic activity has been hampered by delays in implementing an upgraded public works program and the closure of a large...

The United Kingdom’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that macroeconomic performance has been strong and steady, owing in part to confidence-enhancing policy frameworks and generally sound implementation. The financial system is generally healthy, although a substantial increase in the...

This paper focuses on Tajikistan’s Sixth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). The program for 2005 has been implemented satisfactorily. All quantitative and structural performance criteria and indicative targets for end-September 2005 were observed, and all...

This Selected Issues paper for India reports that rapid growth is presenting new challenges to macroeconomic policy, although ensuring the sustainability of this growth requires broad-based fiscal and structural reforms. Higher world oil prices present risks in both the near and medium term. In...

This paper focuses on the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for The Gambia. Understandings have been reached with the authorities on the SMP covering the period October 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006. Key objectives of the program include making progress toward fiscal sustainability, strengthening...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic activity in Jamaica has been adversely affected by shocks. Real GDP contracted sharply in late 2004 following the devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan. Thereafter, while output recovered, it was dampened by the poor performance of...