This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review of the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility for Cameroon. Economic activity is slowing, reflecting a weak business environment, stronger competition from low-cost producers of manufactured products, and...

Albania’s Third Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility is analyzed. Albania has reached a pivotal stage in its economic development. Increasing foreign direct investment and rapid financial sector development point to a faster convergence...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that over the last decade, Albania’s macroeconomic performance has generally been strong and per capita GDP in U.S. dollar terms more than doubled. Strong fiscal policy, largely based on major improvements in tax administration, lowered public...

Malawi has made satisfactory progress in implementing its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for at least one year, and maintained satisfactory macroeconomic policies as evidenced by its performance under a program supported by the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) over the last...

This paper discusses key findings of the Third Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Seychelles. The program is on track, and macroeconomic stabilization has advanced rapidly. The authorities continue to implement the program with a high degree of ownership and success. All quantitative...

This paper focuses on the Fourth Review for Sierra Leone under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. Program performance in the second half of 2008 was mixed. Although economic activity slowed in the last quarter, real GDP grew at an estimated 5.5 percent for the year. A key challenge is to...

This paper presents key findings of the Second Review for Seychelles under the Stand-By Arrangement. The program is on track, and macroeconomic stabilization has advanced rapidly. The authorities are implementing the program with determination and a high degree of ownership. All quantitative...

This paper discusses the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s Second Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. Political pressures on tax administration and the granting of concessions to some manufacturers through increased protection on final goods and lower duty rates on raw...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Iraq’s longer-term economic outlook is strong as oil prices and production are projected to increase markedly in the coming years. However, based on conservative oil price assumptions, the external current account and the overall balance...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Central African Republic has recorded the modest economic growth since the end of the internal conflict in 2003, recovering from decades of decline in living standards. Real GDP grew by 2½ percent a year on average during 2004–08....