Albania’s macroeconomic performance over the past year has been good, with strong growth and a significant reduction in poverty under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Arrangement. Executive Directors commended the new strategy for maintaining the macroeconomic stability,...

The post-conflict economic stabilization in Liberia is now complete. Inflation pressure is easing owing to lower fuel and food prices, and there is a rebound in exports. Sound macroeconomic policies, strengthened institutions, and debt relief have stabilized the economy and have supported...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that following two years of contraction, output growth in Vanuatu recovered beginning in 2003, spurred by stronger performance in construction and a pickup in tourist arrivals. Growth reached 7 percent in 2005 and an estimated 5½ percent in 2006,...

Iraq showed good progress in undertaking strong macroeconomic policies and implementing economic reforms under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). Executive Directors welcomed this, and noted that low investment and stagnating output in the oil sector continue to hamper economic growth. They...

A confluence of developments is creating a more favorable economic situation for Guinea-Bissau. The country has moved away from debt distress with the debt relief granted after the Highly Indebted Poor Countries completion point last year. Fiscal sustainability has improved considerably through...

Economic activity in the Kyrgyz Republic has been buffeted by the political upheaval, and output growth has fallen short of expectations. The program builds on the country’s entrenched fiscal prudence and features a tightening in monetary policy, so as to secure rapid sustained growth in...

The First Review under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) discusses policies focused on measures to accelerate the reconstruction of the Iraqi economy while maintaining macroeconomic stability. Inflation has slowed down, and monetary and exchange rate policies have been adjusted. The Central Bank of...

Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country is emerging from more than a decade of civil conflict. The World Bank’s country assistance strategy focuses on structural reforms to further increase growth and reduce poverty. The economy is emerging from the effects of...

The statistical data on value added by sector at current prices, value added by sector at constant prices, GDP by expenditure at current prices, consumer prices, population estimates, employment in the public sector, summary of the operations of the public sector and operations of the central...

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program for Sierra Leone. Performance under the IMF-supported program was mixed. Output growth was strong at 6.8 percent and broad-based, but key fiscal revenue and spending objectives...