Country Reports
2021
September 27, 2021
Republic of Equatorial Guinea: Request for Purchase Under the Rapid Financing Instrument-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director
Description: Already battered by a still unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, Equatorial Guinea was struck on March 7 by massive accidental explosions at a military compound in Bata, its largest city, that killed over 100 people and caused widespread damage to surrounding neighborhoods. These shocks have adversely impacted economic activity and weakened considerably the fiscal and external positions, relative to the EFF-supported program approved in December 2019, creating a substantial financing gap. With the EFF-supported program off-track, as governance reforms have taken longer than originally envisaged, it is not feasible to effectively respond to the humanitarian crisis within the EFF framework. Bringing the program back on track would take time as the authorities continue to work on outstanding structural measures due to capacity constraints in the pandemic context and need for consensus building. Support provided under the RFI, buttressed by appropriate prior actions on governance and safeguards, would create the fiscal space necessary for the authorities to meet the immediate humanitarian needs, and reinvigorate engagement under the EFF-supported program.
September 22, 2021
Brazil: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Brazil
Description: Economic performance has been much better than expected, in part due to the authorities’ forceful policy response. Nevertheless, Brazil’s long-standing challenges of low growth, high debt, and elevated levels of poverty and inequality have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Tragically, more than 550,000 Brazilians have died from COVID-19.
September 21, 2021
Georgia: Financial System Stability Assessment
Description: A recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic now underway in Georgia has benefited from a recent pickup in external demand and substantial fiscal support. Significant exchange rate depreciation, global commodity price increases and supply constraints have contributed to inflationary pressures and provided impetus for the authorities to start tightening monetary policy during 2021. Credit growth slowed during the pandemic but has since picked up again. Household and firm indebtedness is relatively high reflecting rapid credit growth in recent years. Banks face elevated credit risks as they carry high exposure to unhedged borrowers in foreign currency, some of whom are facing debt-servicing difficulties due to the pandemic.
September 21, 2021
Georgia: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Georgia
Description: High frequency estimates suggest a V-shaped recovery with output now poised to return close to 2019 levels already this year, much earlier than expected. Recently COVID-19 case numbers have risen sharply to new highs while vaccinations have also accelerated significantly after a slow start. The recovery has improved the fiscal outlook and the authorities submitted to Parliament a supplementary budget, with GEL 1.2 billion in additional spending roughly equivalent to the expected increase in revenues. The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) has increased the policy rate by 200 basis points to deal with high inflation driven by lagging effects of depreciation, commodity and food price increases, and supply side constraints.
September 20, 2021
Brunei Darussalam: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Brunei Darussalam
Description: Brunei’s economic performance—which was strong before the COVID-19 pandemic—has been buffeted by the health crisis and a pandemic-induced oil and gas price shock. The authorities responded fast and decisively. The number of new infections was quickly suppressed, thanks to a swift public health response, effective health measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions. Strong fiscal and regulatory policy responses helped sustain production and household income and consumption. Past diversification efforts and reforms bore fruit when it was most needed. As a result, the economy performed strongly in 2020, with real GDP posting positive growth of 1.1 percent—a rare outcome amidst negative growth in the region. Economic activity is projected to strengthen in 2021-22, albeit at varying speeds across sectors, and to continue improving over the medium term on the back of further diversification. The outlook is, however, subject to unusual uncertainty, with significant risks skewed to the downside. Sustained strong policy actions are needed to ensure continued resilience, while nurturing green, digital and inclusive growth.
September 17, 2021
United Republic of Tanzania: Requests for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility and Purchase Under the Rapid Financing Instrument-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the United Republic of Tanzania
Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted Tanzania’s macroeconomic outlook, and negatively impacted its population’s health and well-being. Tourism collapsed in the wake of travel restrictions, the economy reportedly decelerated to 4.8 percent growth in 2020, and growth is expected to remain subdued in 2021. The previous government downplayed the presence of the COVID-19 virus in Tanzania and the impact of the pandemic in the country, and budgeted insufficient resources to address the health and economic crisis. This has left the new administration of President Hassan with an enormous and urgent challenge to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The new administration is implementing comprehensive plans to immediately address the pandemic, resulting in an urgent balance of payments need.
September 17, 2021
Malta: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Malta
Description: The fallout from the COVID-19 crisis has hit the Maltese economy hard, particularly its large tourism sector. Using fiscal buffers accumulated prior to the pandemic, the authorities have taken swift actions to support households, businesses, and the healthcare system. With the rapid rollout of COVID-19 vaccine, the economy has reopened for the summer tourism season. While the outlook is surrounded by a high degree of uncertainty, the Maltese economy is expected to rebound by 5¾ percent this year, up from -7¾ percent in 2020. The financial system has remained stable. In late June 2021, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) put Malta under increased monitoring due to concerns about effectiveness of its anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.
September 15, 2021
Belgium: 2021 Article IV Consultation -Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Belgium
Description: Belgium was hit hard early by Covid-19, but a timely, strong, and sustained health and economic policy response helped cushion impacts. A coalition government took office in October 2020, giving greater policy clarity and rightly prioritizing the Covid-19 crisis. A highly-effective vaccine rollout has facilitated reopening and recovery.