Country Reports
2024
December 19, 2024
Ecuador: 2024 Article IV Consultation and First Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility and Financing Assurances Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Ecuador
Description: Ecuador is making significant progress in the implementation of its economic reform program. The authorities have embarked on a set of decisive policy actions and reforms to address fiscal and external imbalances, supported by the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement approved by the Executive Board in May 2024 of SDR 3 billion (430 percent of quota, about US$4 billion). The core objectives of the EFF-supported program are to (i) strengthen fiscal sustainability, while protecting vulnerable groups; (ii) safeguard dollarization and macroeconomic stability; (iii) rebuild liquidity buffers; (iv) enhance financial stability and integrity; and (v) further advance the structural reform agenda to promote sustainable and inclusive growth.
December 19, 2024
The Union of the Comoros: Third Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for Modifications of Performance Criteria and Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria -Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for The Union of the Comoros
Description: Following the January 14 presidential election, President Azali announced a new cabinet in July, introducing several new and youthful faces into the political scene. Amid this political transition, Comoros’ economy is showing signs of softening coupled with inflationary pressures driven by accelerating food prices. Credit to the private sector has slowed throughout this year as importers deleveraged following the significant ramp-up in borrowing over the last two years to meet high import prices. Import volumes—notably food products—have declined during 2024H1 while exports and public investment have both been lower than expected. Tax revenue administration efforts were hampered by post-elections unrest, the cholera epidemic, and severe weather events during the first half of 2024. Nonetheless, the external sector remains stable with adequate reserve cover above 7 months of imports.
December 19, 2024
Philippines: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: The Philippines has successfully navigated multiple external headwinds in recent years and is pursuing an extensive plan to achieve high and inclusive growth. After moderating in 2023, growth is expected to pick up in 2024-25, supported by gradual monetary policy easing. Inflation has declined to within the target band, though supply shocks pose upside risks. Risks to the growth outlook are tilted to the downside, including from recurrent commodity price volatility, escalation of geopolitical tensions and lower-than-expected payoffs from recent reforms. With macroeconomic policies well calibrated to achieve a soft landing in the near-term, expanding the economy's growth potential will be pivotal for the medium-term outlook.
December 19, 2024
Republic of Moldova: Sixth Reviews Under the Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility Arrangements, Request for modifications of performance criteria, and Second review Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Alternative Executive Director for the Republic of Moldova
Description: This paper presents the Republic of Moldova’s Sixth Reviews under the Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility Arrangements, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria, and Second Review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility Arrangement. Recovery from the multiple shocks is taking hold, and inflation has remained within the National Bank of Moldova’s target band since October 2023. However, downside risks remain large, mainly related to the geopolitical situation and renewed energy shocks. Prudent policies and maintaining buffers and robust contingency plans, including in the energy sector are needed to address looming risks. Fostering growth-friendly investment and reforms, supported by the EU accession process will help advance toward Moldova’s development objectives.
December 19, 2024
Guinea-Bissau: Seventh Review Under the Extended Credit Facility and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria and Financing Assurances Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Guinea-Bissau
Description: Guinea-Bissau continues to face a challenging economic and political environment. Recent downward shocks to cashew exports are adding pressures to the balance of payments and fiscal revenue. Tightening of regional financial conditions continue to raise borrowing costs. Since the political crisis in December 2023, underlying social tension has been high, and the next legislative election has been postponed to complete preparatory steps required by law. Despite these challenges, growth has been resilient, supported by strong public and private investments, and high producer prices of cashew nuts due to increased competition among exporters and strengthened securities measures. Risks to the outlook remain tilted towards the downside.
December 18, 2024
United Republic of Tanzania: Fourth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and First Review Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility Arrangement -Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the United Republic of Tanzania
Description: This paper presents IMF’s Fourth Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement and First Review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) Arrangement for Tanzania. Economic growth momentum is picking up in 2024 with improved external and fiscal balances, low inflation within the central bank’s target, and easing pressures in the foreign exchange market. Tanzania’s economic reform program supported by the ECF arrangement remained on track. Structural reforms are essential to promote private sector development and inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth. Business reforms should focus on removing obstacles to foreign investment, simplifying the regulatory regime, enhancing governance and regulatory transparency, and improving public policy predictability. The authorities are committed to continue implementing reforms to preserve macro-financial stability, promote sustainable and inclusive growth, advance structural reforms, and address the risks and challenges associated with climate change, supported by the ECF and RSF arrangements.
December 17, 2024
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report
Description: Timor-Leste has made impressive progress since independence but remains a fragile post-conflict nation with an under-diversified private sector. The economy remains highly dependent on the public sector, which has been financed primarily by proceeds from the Petroleum Fund, in which the state has invested its substantial savings from past oil and gas production. But production is dwindling and large withdrawals from the PF, should they continue, would lead to its full depletion by the end of the 2030s. Over the past decade, a high share of public spending relative to the economy has delivered only modest growth and development.