Country Reports
2024
July 11, 2024
Union of the Comoros: Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Union of Comoros
Description: Economic conditions have improved since the beginning of the ECF-supported program. Real GDP growth is expected to remain on an upward trajectory peaking at around 4½ percent under the program. Inflation is projected to decline further in 2024 although at a much slower pace than observed in 2023. The near completion of large public projects and the steady improvement in domestic revenue mobilization will be key driving factors for the improvement in the domestic primary balance. The external sector is stable, and gross international reserves are expected to remain above 7 months of import cover over the program period. The baseline, however, is subject to considerable uncertainty as Comoros continues to face the challenges of a small, fragile island state: significant development challenges, balance of payments needs, a high risk of debt distress, vulnerabilities in the banking system, governance and corruption vulnerabilities, and exposure to climate change risks. Tropical storms that impacted East Africa in April and May also inflicted significant damage across the country.
July 11, 2024
Ghana: Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria and Financing Assurances Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Ghana
Description: Policy adjustment and reforms under the program are delivering on their objectives, with clear signs of stabilization emerging. Good progress is being made on the debt restructuring. With the December 2024 general elections approaching and considering past episodes of election-driven policy slippages, the authorities have reiterated their strong commitment to the policies and reforms under the program.
July 11, 2024
Republic of Uzbekistan: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Uzbekistan’s growth momentum continues on the back of far-reaching structural reforms to liberalize its economy, favorable commodity prices, and notable increases in financial and income flows. Leveraging the remarkable progress that has been achieved in the last seven years, the authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to continue their policy and reform agenda—as shown by the recent energy price reform—and to address the remaining challenges of reducing the role of the state, accelerating productivity growth, bringing down inflation, and stepping up some key structural reforms that have proceeded at a slower pace than desired.
July 11, 2024
Libya: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Libya
Description: Libya remains a fragile state trapped in political uncertainty. Episodes of active conflict have become less frequent, but the country remains de facto divided between the West and the East and fragmented among various militias with competing objectives. The political economy constraints and inadequate capacity hinder the authorities’ ability to implement Fund policy advice.
July 11, 2024
Brazil: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Brazil
Description: Brazil’s economy has shown remarkable resilience amid the ongoing disinflation. Economic activity has grown steadily, surpassing expectations, reflecting favorable demand and supply factors. With proactive and adequately restrictive monetary policy, headline inflation has declined to the target tolerance interval. Longstanding challenges remain, including elevated public debt and slow convergence to higher living standards. The authorities have advanced their ambitious sustainable and inclusive growth agenda, including the approval of a landmark VAT reform.
July 11, 2024
Republic of Moldova: Fifth Reviews Under the Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility Arrangements, First Review Under the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, and Request for Modification of a Performance Criterion-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Moldova
Description: Moldova’s economic recovery from the multiple shocks is proceeding, albeit at a slower pace than expected. Progress towards EU accession continues. Presidential elections are scheduled in October, to be combined with a referendum on EU accession.
July 11, 2024
Uruguay: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release and Staff Report
Description: In 2023, Uruguay confronted the impact of a once-in-a-century drought, causing significant direct losses to the primary sector. The economic situation in Argentina created further headwinds for Uruguay, although with no signs of financial spillovers. The economy remained resilient, owing to the authorities’ sound macroeconomic policies, the country’s political stability, and strong institutions. The current administration, in office since 2020, has implemented a significant upgrade of the fiscal and monetary policy frameworks and has advanced decisive structural reforms. Consolidating these gains should be the most important priority.
July 11, 2024
Ghana: Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy
Description: This Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (MTNDPF) 2022-2025 seeks to operationalize Article 36, Clause 1 of Ghana’s 1992 constitution, which enjoins Government to ensure that the national economy is managed efficiently to maximize the welfare of the citizenry. It was prepared with broad-based stakeholder participation including the use of cross-sectoral planning groups (CSPGs) as enjoined by article 15 of the National Development Planning Commission Act, 1994 (Act 479). Public consultations were also undertaken across the country, including engagement with parliament and the presidency. It was finally approved by the Commission following approval from the presidency and presented to Parliament.