This Selected Issues paper reviews business investment patterns in France during the crisis. The main motivation is to explore whether investment has recently evolved in line with established determinants or displayed somewhat unconventional dynamics. This paper addresses three distinct...

This paper discusses Rwanda’s First Review Under the Policy Support Instrument. Rwanda continues to face the challenge of sustaining high growth while reducing its reliance on aid and preventing the build-up of imbalances. After using foreign exchange reserves over the past few years to...

This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that the United Arab Emirates has continued to benefit from its perceived safe-haven status amid regional instability. The economic recovery has been solid, supported by the tourism and hospitality sectors, and a rebounding real estate sector....

This Selected Issues paper focuses on the real estate market and Expo 2020 in the United Arab Emirates. It discusses the measures that could mitigate risks associated with the real estate cycle and the international experience with real estate booms and hosting large events such as World Expos,...

KEY ISSUES Context: Weak external demand and inconsistent macroeconomic policies have contributed to a prolonged economic recession. A combination of an effectively pegged exchange rate, loose fiscal policy, and sizable quasi-fiscal losses in the energy sector has pushed the fiscal and external...

This Selected Issues paper investigates the macroeconomic impact of the Syria crisis on Jordan. It is indicated that the crisis: (1) had an overall negative impact on measured output growth-although anecdotal evidence suggests possibly a positive impact on output in the informal sector; (2)...

KEY ISSUES Context. The economy is recovering gradually, helped by supportive macroeconomic policies, favorable external conditions, and improved market confidence. This, together with a welcome reduction in vulnerabilities, supported Hungary’s financial stability during bouts of volatility in...

KEY ISSUES Background. Panama’s economic performance remains buoyant. Real GDP growth slowed to 8.4 percent in 2013, after the strong expansion in 2011–12, and is projected at above 7 percent in 2014. Inflation is declining, though it is resilient and still higher than in major trading...

KEY ISSUES Outlook and risks The economic expansion is becoming increasingly embedded and broad-based, driven by supportive financial conditions, historically high commodity prices, resurgent construction activity related to the Canterbury post-earthquake rebuild and general housing shortages,...

KEY ISSUES Recent Developments. After four years of consecutive growth, the unprecedented floods that hit Honiara in early April 2014 have undermined economic activity. The flash floods caused loss of life and widespread damage to key infrastructure, water and sanitation systems, housing, and...