The Lebanese financial system has so far weathered the global financial crisis. The 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that deposit inflows decelerated briefly in the aftermath of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, but have resumed at a rapid pace since then. Executive Directors have welcomed...

Stronger policies, favorable external environment, and notable improvement in the humanitarian situation supported a nascent economic recovery in Zimbabwe. Executive Directors welcomed this, and urged authorities to take advantage of the favorable external environment to strengthen their...

This paper discusses Pakistan’s First review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion (PCs) and Modification of Performance Criteria. All quantitative PCs for end-September 2013 were observed except...

This paper focuses on Uganda’s 2013 Article IV Consultation and Sixth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, Request for a Three-Year Policy Support Instrument and cancellation of Current Policy Support Instrument. Driven mainly by investment and trade, growth has recovered to about...

The 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights Togo’s developments and performance under the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP). Togolese banks have the highest nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) area, reflecting primarily past lending to...

This 2012 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic recovery in the United Arab Emirates is continuing despite the uncertain global economic environment. The banking sector has remained well capitalized and profitable, despite a continued rise in nonperforming loans and higher...

The staff report highlights that the economy of Kiribati showed resilience from the global crisis owing to infrastructure projects financed by foreign assistance. Executive Directors stressed the importance of preserving real per capita value of the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund to ensure...

Real GDP growth slowed somewhat to 5.3 percent in 2009, its slowest pace since 2000, though Vietnam was among the better performers in developing Asia. An immediate challenge is to consolidate the current stable macroeconomic conditions through prudent policies and better communications. Over...

The economic and financial pressures facing Ireland are intense. The banking sector is at the fulcrum of Ireland’s problems. The program, therefore, aims to restore the banking system. It will address structural problems and restore confidence. A leaner and more robust banking sector is...

This paper presents the staff report for Kenya’s 2009 Article IV Consultation on economic development and policies. The progress Kenya achieved on the growth and poverty reduction fronts stalled in 2008 owing to a series of adverse developments, including the global economic crisis. The...