This Selected Issues paper estimates the optimal allocation of government current spending, precautionary saving, and investment for Kuwait under uncertainty. The results show that in the face of high oil income volatility and the expected decline in oil prices, projected current spending...

The global economic and financial crisis found the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a vulnerable position. The government put together a comprehensive program supported by the International Monetary Fund. The stabilization program has helped mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis...

This Selected Issues paper on Saudi Arabia assesses Saudi Arabia’s role in the oil market and global economy. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest producer and exporter of oil, has long played a systemically important role in the global oil market. Short-term fluctuations in Saudi...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Morocco’s economic track record was challenged in recent years by a series of exogenous shocks, to which the authorities responded vigorously. Facing a difficult international environment, the authorities adopted, with the support of the Fund’s Precautionary and...

KEY ISSUES Context: Corrective revenue measures helped keep the program on track and macroeconomic conditions improved in late 2014 following the decline in oil prices. Uncertainties related to the 2015 general elections weigh on the outlook. Program: The Executive Board approved the three-year...

The 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the near-term outlook for Belgium is challenging, with real GDP expected to drop by about 3 percent in 2009 and a gradual recovery projected for 2010. The unemployment rate will continue to rise in 2010, and inflation pressures are expected to...

The staff report for the Fourth Review on Nigeria highlights developments under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI). Robust non-oil sector growth significantly strengthened fiscal and external positions, reducing inflation that surpassed the original program goals. Fiscal risks have increased in...

This Joint Staff Advisory Note discusses the Annual Progress report of The Gambia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Macroeconomic performance has been strong, exemplified by robust growth and relatively low inflation. However, the current global economic slowdown is likely to adversely...

This paper discusses key findings of the Sixth and Final Review for Malawi Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Performance remained generally strong in the period under review. The authorities met most program targets for end-December 2007, and domestic debt fell as a share...

This paper highlights Morocco’s Second Review Under the Precautionary and Liquidity Line. The IMF report analyzes that the 2012 fiscal outcome entailed a significant slippage from the authorities’ target and exposed vulnerabilities in the budget framework. Core inflation has...