Economic activity was buoyant in Niger thanks to a new oil project, contributing to a strengthened external account and a rebound in agricultural production. Economic developments, however, remained vulnerable to climatic shocks and the fragile security situation in the region. Fiscal...

This paper discusses Rwanda’s Seventh Review Under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI), Request for a Three-Year PSI and Cancellation of Current PSI. Progress under the PSI has continued to be satisfactory. Except for the ceiling on nonconcessional borrowing (NCB), all quantitative...

Economic activity is estimated to have softened below program expectations in January-March 2012, due to a continued contraction in the construction sector which dominated a relatively strong outturn in tourism. Despite this growth underperformance and the continued global uncertainty, the...

Failed corporate structures lie at the heart of Serbia’s economic difficulties. But the government emphasized instead the need for public investment and labor tax cuts. Capital inflows pose additional challenges. External concerns leave little room to fiscal maneuver. This puts the focus...

The 2010 staff report for the Fourth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement addresses economic challenges faced by Pakistan. The implementation of the structural agenda faced delays but politically difficult reforms were assured to be executed. The resulting fiscal pressures had been expected to...

The German economy has made major strides, helped by wide-ranging reforms. Greater transparency and stronger incentives for prudent action will support crisis prevention and management. The immediate priorities are preserving the integrity of the financial system and maintaining economic...

Cyprus experienced significant internal and external imbalances owing to the European financial crisis. The oversized and weak banking sector continued to be a threat to the sovereign. Greek debt restructuring, together with loan losses of both Cyprus and Greece, resulted in the two largest...

The Costa Rican economy has grown at rapid rates in the last three years, underpinned by a robust world expansion, sound economic policies, and strong business and consumer confidence. Economic policies have been well oriented. The fiscal position has substantially improved. The exchange rate...

Greece’s deep recession has continued unabated, with the economy struggling to gain traction against domestic political instability and weak external conditions. Stronger internal devaluation is now under way, reflecting the interaction of labor market liberalization with the already weak...

Switzerland showed commendable economic growth with low inflation and increasing employment. Executive Directors commended the prudent macroeconomic management, sound monetary and fiscal policy frameworks, structural reforms, and flexible labor markets. They noted that the monetary policy...