Country Reports
2021
June 18, 2021
Peru: Review Under the Flexible Credit Line Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Peru
Description: Peru’s very strong macroeconomic policies and institutional policy frameworks have helped anchor strong growth and stability over the past several years and navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The confluence of a sound inflation-targeting regime, flexible exchange rate, credible fiscal framework, reflected in very low public debt, and sound financial sector supervision and regulation have allowed the country to deploy a robust policy response to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic while sustaining strong access to international capital markets. Following the worst economic contraction in 30 years, economic activity is expected to rebound this year as COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out, and the pandemic is gradually brought under control. Real GDP is expected to return to its pre-pandemic level by 2022, supported by improved terms-of-trade and a pick-up in domestic demand. The second round of presidential elections is scheduled for June 6.
June 18, 2021
Barbados: Fifth Review Under the Extended Arrangement, Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion, and Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Barbados
Description: Barbados has made good progress in implementing its Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) plan to restore fiscal and debt sustainability, rebuild reserves, and increase growth. International reserves have increased to US$1.3 billion at end-March 2021, supported by IFI loans. This, and a successful 2018-19 public debt restructuring, have helped rebuild confidence in the country’s macroeconomic framework. However, a virtual standstill in the tourism sector during the pandemic took a significant toll in 2020, with the economy contracting by 18 percent. While Barbados was successful in containing the outbreak during 2020, a surge in COVID-19 cases in early 2021 resulted in the country’s second national lockdown in February. Economic growth is projected at 3 percent for 2021 premised on a modest recovery of tourism in the second half of the year, but the outlook remains highly uncertain, and risks are elevated, also in light of the possible impact of recent volcanic activity in neighboring Saint Vincent.
June 17, 2021
Senegal: Third Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument and Request for Modification of Quantitative Targets, and Requests for a Stand-By Arrangement and an Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Senegal
Description: The macroeconomic outlook has worsened amid a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher commodity prices and social unrest, rooted in widening inequality and a lack of opportunities for the youth. The COVID-19 vaccination campaign was launched in February but has so far covered less than 5 percent of Senegal’s population. The President announced in early April an emergency program for youth employment and economic insertion amounting to 3 percent of GDP, spread evenly over 2021–23.
June 16, 2021
Ireland: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Ireland entered the COVID pandemic with reduced vulnerabilities and high growth, especially in multinational enterprises (MNEs)-dominated sectors. The pandemic has had a highly asymmetric impact on the economy. The domestic sectors contracted by about 10 percent in 2020 and unemployment reached 30 percent at the peak of the first wave, while MNEs continued to grow strongly, driving overall GDP growth to 3.4 percent. A swift policy response has been effective in mitigating the crisis impact and protecting households and firms. The domestic sectors are expected to partially recover in 2021, with GDP growth projected at 4.6 percent. Downside risks stem from uncertainties surrounding new COVID variants, post-Brexit trade arrangements, and likely changes in international taxation.
June 16, 2021
Cyprus: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted Cyprus’s strong economic growth over the past few years. High dependence on service sectors and strict containment measures led real output to contract by 5.1 percent (yoy) during 2020. Growth is projected to recover to 3 percent in 2021 as the vaccine rollout gathers pace despite the ongoing new wave of infections, but significant downside risks remain, reflecting the high uncertainty of the path of the epidemic.
June 16, 2021
Chile: Central Bank Transparency Code Review
Description: The Central Bank of Chile (CBC) has implemented broadly advanced transparency practices. This reflects the CBC’s strong public commitment to transparency, which is anchored in the law and has been designated by the CBC as a strategic objective to fulfill its mandate. This policy has earned the CBC the broad trust of its stakeholders and has paid significant dividends for the CBC in terms of safeguarding its autonomy and ensuring its policy effectiveness.
June 15, 2021
People’s Republic of China–Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Technical Note-Financial Safety Net and Crisis Management Arrangements
Description: Hong Kong SAR has significantly strengthened its crisis management arrangements through a thorough update of the framework for resolution of financial institutions, as recommended by the 2014 Financial Sector Assessment Program. The 2017 Financial Institutions (Resolution) Ordinance (FIRO) creates a resolution regime that is clear, comprehensive in scope, and closely aligned with the Financial Stability Board (FSB) Key Attributes of Effective Resolution Regimes for Financial Institutions. Some aspects of the FIRO, such as the cross-sectoral scope of the regime, are particularly strong. To implement the regime, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) 2 has established a Resolution Office (RO) with clear operational separation from banking supervision.
June 15, 2021
People’s Republic of China–Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Detailed Assessment of Observance-HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited (HKCC) Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures
Description: The HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited (HKCC) observes the CPSS/IOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMI). It has a sound, coherent and transparent legal basis. As an integral part of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX Group), the HKCC has a comprehensive and adequate risk management framework to address financial, business, and operational risks. Participant assets as well as HKCC’s collaterals are safely kept in several banks and regulated central securities depositories. The credit and liquidity risks are minimized by having a robust risk management framework, including rigorous stress testing methodology and access to qualifying liquid resources. Furthermore, the HKCC has clear rules and procedures to handle and manage a participant’s default procedures. Moreover, the HKCC has established risk management framework to handle operational risk, including cyber risk, and business continuity management that addresses events posing significant risk of operational disruption.