This paper assesses Benin’s 2002 Article IV Consultation, Third Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and Requests for an Extension of the PRGF Arrangement and for an Additional Interim Assistance Under the Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries...

This paper examines Mali’s Fourth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria. The implementation of the PRGF-supported program was satisfactory in 2001. All the end-December 2001 and end-March 2002 quantitative...

Under the Stand-By Arrangement, Panama has achieved good economic performance owing to its strong financial reform and low inflation. Executive Directors welcomed this step, and stressed the need to improve fiscal consolidation and tax reforms, tighten monetary stance, strengthen public...

Sweden’s quality of life, public health, and educational attainment indicators are among the best in the world. Although it is impossible to pin down the optimal size of the welfare state precisely, the government has generally agreed to have become too big by the late 1980s. Globalization is...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic activity weakened in Suriname in 2009 in the context of lower alumina and oil prices and a sharp output decline in the alumina sector. However, economic growth is estimated to have remained positive at 2.5 percent, supported by buoyant...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s vulnerability at the outset of the global crisis was its large current account deficit in the context of the exchange rate peg to the euro. At the same time, it benefited from a small fiscal deficit,...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of the Marshall Islands is on a path to recovery. A gradual expansion with growth reaching 0.5 percent in 2010 is supported by further growth in the fish processing industry and additional foreign grant assistance. Rising prices could...

This paper reviews the annual progress report on Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for Republic of Congo. The adoption of the PRSP in March 2008 was followed by adoption of the Operational Action Plan for implementation of the PRSP. The poverty reduction strategy is being implemented in an...

Morocco’s strong starting position, reflecting macroeconomic and structural reforms introduced over the last decade, has given the country greater room to maneuver in its policy response. The direct impact of the global crisis on Morocco has been limited, primarily affecting Morocco through...

This paper presents the staff report for Kenya’s 2009 Article IV Consultation on economic development and policies. The progress Kenya achieved on the growth and poverty reduction fronts stalled in 2008 owing to a series of adverse developments, including the global economic crisis. The...