El Salvador has made major strides on several fronts since the peace accords of 1992. The near-term outlook has strengthened, although challenges remain. The authorities are intended to limit tax exemptions and subsidies, and raise priority of banking reforms this year. Discussions focused on...

Canada’s macroeconomic and policy performance has continued to outshine most other industrial countries, and its outlook remains favorable. The new government has pledged to maintain the strong social consensus in favor of fiscal surpluses, while aiming at enhancing incentives. The new...

Australia’s large external deficits appear sustainable. There are, however, risks associated with the resulting external debt that need continued careful management. These deficits, which largely reflect high investment rather than low saving, should be sustainable as long as the...

The strong macroeconomic performance and the implementation of prudent fiscal and monetary policies and a flexible exchange rate regime have helped Mozambique to perform well under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI). Executive Directors advised to maintain macroeconomic stability and accelerate...

Economic growth is strengthening, stimulated by the high terms of trade. Monetary policy has been tightened appropriately. A flexible monetary policy response to potential external shocks, including commodity price swings, will help to cushion growth while preserving low inflation. To promote...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that macroeconomic performance in the United Kingdom remains impressive. After softer growth in 2005, the acceleration in GDP in 2006 was broadly based. Business investment was boosted by high net rates of return; private consumption by robust...

Kuwait’s 2006 Article IV Consultation reports that its macroeconomic performance has been strong in recent years reflecting sharply higher oil and non-oil activity. Over the medium term, Kuwait’s financial position is projected to remain strong. The large external current account...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that Japan’s external position remains strong. The current account surplus rose to 4.8 percent of GDP in 2007 on the back of strong external demand and a further surge in investment income. Money markets remain relatively stable owing to the...

Cape Verde’s economic outlook and policy performance remain favorable. The government should complete implementation of the Public Investment Program (PIP), while reducing external debt. Executive Directors support efforts to rationalize and simplify the tax system and improve tax...

With global financial turmoil increasingly spilling over into Serbia, the authorities have requested a 15-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), which they intend to treat as precautionary. The authorities’ program aims at safeguarding macroeconomic and financial stability, in view of the...