This paper presents a Joint Staff Advisory Note on Nigeria’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Within the framework of Nigeria’s federation, policy coordination between the three tiers of government is critical for achieving poverty reduction objectives. The National Economic...

Cyprus’s economic performance in the past quarter century has been impressive but volatile, as the economy has come to rely on tourism as the main engine of growth. Financial market restrictions, including the interest rate ceiling, limit the ability of the Central Bank of Cyprus to...

Finland's performance has been impressive. In light of rapid population aging, a significant and durable increase in the employment rate is vital. To leave room for needed tax cuts on labor while maintaining sufficiently large fiscal surpluses is crucial. With both growth and inflation set to...

This paper reviews economic developments in the United States during 1992–96. The paper briefly describes improvements in the national income and product accounts (NIPA) and some of their implications for the analysis of long-term trends in U.S. investment and saving. The paper highlights...

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country.

The Fourth Review Under the Extended Arrangement, Financing Assurances Review, and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria for Serbia and Montenegro are discussed. The agreed tighter fiscal, monetary, and incomes policies should cool off wage and credit growth, which are driving the demand...

This note discusses Chile's macroeconomic policy framework, the role of institutions in Chile, policies over time, export specialization and economic growth, trade policy strategy and recent agreements, an overview of recent developments in capital markets, and corporate financing in Chile. The...

The study first examines Albania’s projected debt dynamics for the period 2001–10 and then describes the present public debt situation. The paper also provides a simulation of debt dynamics under macroeconomic conditions. The sensitivity of debt dynamics is also tested. The key...

Since the outset of IMF-supported adjustment and reform program, Algeria has made substantial progress toward the restoration of macroeconomic stability and implemented a set of structural reforms. High hydrocarbon prices also contributed to a sharp improvement in the budget position. A prudent...

In this paper, the following statistical data are listed in detail: GDP by sector of origin, growth of output by sector, GDP at current prices, expenditure and savings at current prices, estimated fish catch, composition of fish exports, net production of electricity and water, selected...