This paper examines Armenia’s 2004 Article IV Consultation, Sixth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria. Armenia’s strong economic performance has been continuing in 2004. In January–September, the year-over-year rate of GDP...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that during the first four years of the Third Five-Year Development Plan (2000/01–2003/04), Iran’s real GDP grew by 5.6 percent on average. The external current account was in surplus, external debt was reduced to a very low level, international...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that despite lower oil revenue, the United Arab Emirates economy performed relatively well in 2001. The external current account surplus remained large, even though average oil prices declined by 12.6 percent to US$23.78 per barrel, leading to a loss...

Recent developments in the external trade system, foreign exchange system, export performance, summary of current poverty situation, and tax system of Vietnam are presented in the paper. The statistical data on gross domestic product, consumer price inflation, gross value of agricultural...

This paper reviews the Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative for Liberia. Performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF)-supported program is solid. The third ECF review was completed on a lapse of time basis on December 18, 2009. All but one of the...

The success of Nigeria’s reforms brings new policy challenges for preserving and building on the reform gains. The immediate challenge is to enshrine a fiscal institution that ensures that fiscal policy is consistent with macroeconomic stability. Nigeria’s integration into the global economy...

The methodologies used in this paper suggest that Israel’s real exchange rate is moderately undervalued, while gains in external competitiveness appear to have been eroded in recent years. Market-based indicators provide a useful additional dimension to the analysis of financial stability in...

The Israeli economy is performing exceptionally well, but still high public indebtedness calls for the continuation of strong economic policies. Monetary policy has successfully stabilized inflation expectations, but policy and communication challenges remain. The recent positive fiscal...

The Canadian Depository for Securities (CDS) is the operator of the securities settlement system. The design and operations of the CDS are covered by a solid legal basis. The regulatory framework is clear and transparent to market participants. The risk management procedures of the CDS as a...

The Canadian financial sector is among the world’s most highly developed. The five large banking groups that form the core of the system are conservatively managed and highly profitable. The stress tests suggest that the large Canadian banks can withstand a broad range of shocks. The current...