The economy continues to grow at a fast pace, driven by port activity and cotton production. The execution of the 2019 budget is on track to bring the fiscal deficit within the WAEMU convergence criterion of 3 percent of GDP this year. Program implementation remains very satisfactory with all...

This paper discusses Niger's 2019 Article IV Consultation, Fourth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), and Requests for Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion, Modification of Performance Criteria, and Extension and Rephasing of the ECF Arrangement. Program implementation...

This 2019 Article IV Consultation discusses that the French government revamped vocational training and professional development to foster labor market participation, especially for low-skilled workers, following key labor tax and labor code reforms enacted in its first year in office. In...

This 2019 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Lithuanian economy has continued to enjoy a strong macroeconomic and fiscal performance, but long-term challenges remain largely unaddressed. The continued strong economic performance suggests that a neutral fiscal stance would have been...

This paper discusses Chad's 2019 Article IV Consultation, Fourth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurances Review. Article IV discussions focused on policy priorities to deal with legacies from the...

This paper discusses Burkina Faso's Second Review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion. Performance under the ECF-supported program has been broadly satisfactory. Economic activity remains resilient in the face of...

This paper discusses Guinea's Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for Modification of Performance Criterion and Financing Assurances Review. Performance against end-December 2018 targets was satisfactory. All performance criteria and the indicative target (IT) on...

This 2019 Article IV Consultation highlights that Aruba's economic recovery continues, although at a slowing pace. The authorities have managed well the impact of the crisis in Venezuela through diversification of product markets and tourism sources. Nonetheless, a deepening of the crisis is a...

This paper presents Armenia's 2019 Article IV Consultation report and request for a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The arrangement is intended to be precautionary. It will provide insurance against external shocks and support the authorities' efforts to strengthen economic fundamentals and policy...

This 2019 Article IV Consultation discusses that growth in Maldives has been strong and is projected to remain so in 2019 driven by tourism, commerce, and construction. Nonetheless, the Maldives remains highly vulnerable with reduced policy space due to large and growing public debt and rising...