The First Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, and Requests for Waiver of Performance Criteria for Senegal are discussed. Economic activity in the first half of 2003 has been weaker than envisaged under the program. The impact of softer domestic demand, reflecting mainly the...

The staff report for the Request for Stand-By Arrangement on Gabon highlights economic developments and policies. A higher-than-anticipated rise in oil GDP more than offset lower-than-expected growth of non-oil GDP. Overall fiscal performance was strong, as the non-oil primary deficit was...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that Benin’s economic performance over 2001–03 was strong. Real GDP growth averaged 5.3 percent, driven by growth in the cotton and services sectors. Inflation was low, averaging 2.6 percent per year. The external current deficit...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that the real GDP of the United Kingdom increased at an average rate of some 2.8 percent, and the unemployment rate halved to below 5 percent by April 2001. Inflation, which has been low since the mid-1990s, was—on a harmonized...

This paper discusses Colombia Third Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion. Under the authorities’ program, economic performance has improved considerably. Real GDP rose by 3.7 percent in 2003 and 3.8 percent in the...

Mozambique's economic program was originally supported by a three-year arrangement under the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF). The Mozambican authorities are to be commended for a continued satisfactory performance under their Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF)-supported...

This paper focuses on Uganda’s Fifth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), Request for Waiver of Performance Criterion, and Extension of Arrangement. Performance relative to the program performance criteria and benchmarks has...

The Syrian Arab Republic’s 2005 Article IV Consultation reports that progress had been made on structural reforms, including a simplification of the exchange rate system, and the adoption of a new income tax law. Rising international oil prices starting in mid-1999 helped maintain...

This paper assesses Niger’s Fourth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and Requests for Waiver of Performance Criterion and for Additional Interim Assistance Under the Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries...

Tanzania showed commendable growth owing to its macroeconomic stability and structural reforms under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) Arrangement. Executive Directors commended these developments, and agreed that debt relief under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries...