This paper examines Sierra Leone’s 2004 Article IV Consultation, the Fifth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and Requests for Waiver of Performance Criteria. Growth prospects in the medium term are encouraging, largely based on some mining projects coming to...

Economic stability of the Philippines was discussed in this report. Private investment remained low by regional standards, but there are tentative signs of a revival. These developments and favorable global conditions led to a surge in foreign exchange inflows and the external value of the peso....

The Serbian economy has continued to grow strongly, but external imbalances have widened along with vulnerabilities. To contain domestic demand, fiscal surpluses are needed, until the benefits of structural reforms are reaped. Low inflation should be entrenched by adoption of inflation targeting...

Bulgaria’s First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria are discussed. With macroeconomic conditions expected to remain favorable, competitiveness at an adequate level, and a lower current account deficit, concerns about external vulnerability...

The Executive Board of the IMF has completed the fifth review of Greece’s economic performance under a program supported by a three-year Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for the country. The completion of the review enables the immediate disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR1.9 billion,...

Rapid growth during the second half of the 1990s led to overheating and the emergence of financial vulnerabilities by the end of the decade. Over the medium term, investment projects will impart a significant impetus to economic activity, and output will grow for some years above its long-term...

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that domestic credit growth has accelerated, driven by strong demand from the government, public enterprises, and the private sector. High import content, particularly from public infrastructure...

This paper discusses Nicaragua’s 2005 Article IV Consultation and Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Reviews Under the Three Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). The economy continued to perform well, notwithstanding pressure from higher oil prices. Strong...

Croatia continues to enjoy economic growth, price stability, and rising international reserves under the Stand-By Arrangement. Executive Directors commended this and stressed the need for prudent macroeconomic policies, structural reforms, fiscal consolidation, and tight monetary policy. They...

Papua New Guinea’s economic performance has strengthened since the last Article IV Consultation. The country has significant underlying vulnerabilities. The economy is exposed to commodity price shocks, and mineral production is expected to decline over the medium to longer term. However,...