In this study, during 2008, the financial crisis lead Iceland’s public debt to soar from under 30 percent of GDP to more than 100 percent of GDP, and while underlying external debt came down sharply, it remains elevated at close to 300 percent of GDP. First, external sustainability is...

This 2012 Article IV Consultation reports that the United Kingdom's economic recovery has been sluggish, as the needed hand-off from public to private demand-led growth has not fully materialized. Economic activity is projected to gain modest momentum in future, but the pace of expansion is...

The staff report for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) first review under the Stand-By Arrangement is presented. The precipitous drop in demand for BiH’s exports and the drying up of foreign direct investment triggered a sharp decline in private investment. Tightening credit...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes reforms to Mexico’s fiscal framework. Mexico’s resilient economic performance would be consolidated by increasing fiscal policy buffers and preparing for challenges associated with long-term budget pressures. In the short term, reducing public...

Tunisia showed excellent economic performance. Executive Directors commended the strong economic performance and resilience to adverse shocks, subdued inflation, strengthened reserves, and increasing capital inflows, which underscored the benefits of sustained sound macroeconomic policies and...

This paper discusses the Request from Gambia for a Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and for Additional Interim Assistance Under the Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC). The Gambian authorities are requesting a three-year...

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 study focused on the macroeconomic framework, food security needs, implementation of priority investment projects, and domestic petroleum pricing policy. The new fiscal program contains a number of new measures, and it is a precise policy for domestic petroleum pricing. The execution of the...

The Second Review under the policy support instrument (PSI) highlights that Senegal’s economy has remained resilient to the global economic turmoil. In line with the authorities’ new Document of Economic and Social Policies for 2011–15, the 2012 economic program supported...

This paper on Cameroon’s Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative explains implementation of the poverty reduction strategy and macroeconomic performance. Executive Directors agreed that Cameroon’s external public debt was above the HIPC Initiative sustainability...