This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that since the robust recovery from the global financial crisis, Singapore’s growth momentum has eased and become more erratic. Growth decelerated to 1¼ percent in 2012 before picking up sharply in the first half of 2013. This reflects...

In this study, antimoney laundering and counterterrorist financing measures (AML/CFT) were summarized. The measures taken to strengthen the financing system are analyzed. Albania’s level of compliance with financial action task force (FATF) is assessed. Legal systems and related...

Mauritius’ 2009 Article IV Consultation discusses economic developments and policies. Output growth has been slowed from 4.2 percent per year in 2008 to less than 2 percent in 2009, as key drivers of growth have been contracted. Mauritius’ growth prospects depend heavily on the...

Niger’s GDP growth is projected to decline in 2009 to 3 percent from 9.5 percent in 2008 when agricultural production reached a record level. The staff report highlights Niger’s second review under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and Request for Modification of...

This Selected Issues paper uses a bank-level panel dataset to investigate the determinants of bank interest spreads in Azerbaijan over 2002–2013. The dealership model of Ho and Saunders is applied, supplemented by market structure and macroeconomic environment variables, to assess the...

This paper discusses details of Cameroon’ Financial System Stability Assessment (FSSA). The FSSA is based on the work of a joint IMF-World Bank mission that visited Cameroon as part of the Financial Sector Assessment Program in June 2007. Excess liquidity may be inducing banks to narrow...

The staff report for Niger’s 2008 Article IV Consultation, first review under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, and request for Waivers and Modification of Performance Criteria is discussed. The authorities initially suspended taxes on critical...

Guinea has implemented an impressive policy shift toward macroeconomic stabilization under the economic program. Executive Directors commended this development and stressed the need for tight fiscal and monetary policies and welcomed the debt sustainability analysis and implementation of the...

This paper presents key findings of the Second and Third Reviews for Gabon under the Stand-By Arrangement. Performance under the program has been mixed. Non-oil economic growth was robust prior to the onset of the international financial crisis, spurred by high oil and commodity prices. However,...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that Iceland’s economy is on a path to recovery, but legacy vulnerabilities are weighing on growth. GDP growth—which reached 2.9 percent in 2011—slowed to 1.6 percent in 2012 amid private sector deleveraging and weak external...