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.

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Central African Republic has recorded the modest economic growth since the end of the internal conflict in 2003, recovering from decades of decline in living standards. Real GDP grew by 2½ percent a year on average during 2004–08....

The staff report for the 2007 Article IV Consultation on the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) explains economic performance. Growth is robust and increasingly reliant on large export-oriented mining and hydropower projects. The economic outlook is promising, but the outcome clearly...

Papua New Guinea showed solid economic growth, supported by greater political stability, fiscal framework, and a healthy banking sector. Executive Directors encouraged the authorities to consider tighter macroeconomic policies in the face of rising inflation pressures and also stressed the need...

The floods in Pakistan are a natural disaster of massive proportions. The overall impact will critically depend on how the floods will affect agricultural output along the Indus and its tributaries. The Pakistani authorities request financial assistance under the IMF policy for Emergency Natural...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Chilean economy has proved resilient in the face of strong economic and financial headwinds during the past year. Rising world prices for energy and food have been exacerbated by drought and a tight domestic energy situation. The government...

Dominica was struck by Hurricane Dean during August 16–17, 2007. A recent earthquake also underscores the vulnerability of the economy to natural disasters. Output growth slowed during the first half of 2007 as tourist arrivals stagnated across the region. Inflation was 3½ percent in...

This paper discusses key findings of the Third Review of Romania’s economic performance under a program supported by a 24-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The authorities are on track to achieve their 2011–12 deficit targets, but stepped-up efforts are needed on key structural...

This collection of papers reviews Malawi’s economic performance under a program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). Drought conditions in parts of the country have dampened the near-term outlook for growth and have resulted in food insecurity for nearly 2 million inhabitants....

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that like other open economies, Korea was hard hit by the global financial crisis during the last quarter of 2008. The authorities responded with a timely and comprehensive set of financial market and macrostabilization measures. Executive Directors...