This Selected Issues paper examines Netherlands’ experience with macroeconomic and structural reforms. The reforms, which were introduced gradually and in a consultative manner, were comprehensive in their coverage. They included a credible monetary policy, based on a tight link to the...

This paper provides a brief overview of the causes of the poor economic performance of Japan in the 1990s, and a more detailed analysis of developments in the real sector during 1999. The paper highlights that the collapse of the asset price bubble in 1990–91 provided the trigger for the...

The paper reports the progress of the Honduran poverty reduction strategy program, projects, and policy measures. The report provides details on the organization and results of the consultation process, and analyzes the macroeconomic framework for the poverty reduction strategy. An overview of...

This Selected Issues paper examines the reform of state-owned banks and enterprises in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). It highlights that recurring high levels of nonperforming loans of state-owned commercial banks have been caused by internal factors, including continued weak...

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.

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.

In this study, the following statistical data are presented in detail: composition of gross domestic product, industrial production, civil employment by factor, agricultural production, electricity production and consumption, developments in wholesale and consumer prices, operations of the...

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.

Nigeria’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that the authorities made good progress in implementing their structural reform program. Given favorable terms of trade, gross international reserves are projected to increase substantially. The economy is expected to benefit from improved...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of Switzerland cooled in 2001 as business investment fell and exports were hit by the global slowdown and an appreciation of the Swiss franc. Real GDP growth dropped to 1.3 percent, unemployment edged up, and the external current...