Country Reports
2019
July 16, 2019
Morocco: Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper studies the potential for well-sequenced labor and product market reforms to play a more important role in promoting growth and job creation in Morocco. A Dynamic General Equilibrium model is used to assess the macroeconomic effects of different reform scenarios (isolated, coordinated, or sequenced) that reduce hiring costs and/or firms’ entry costs in the presence of a large informal sector. The paper highlights that reforms are most effective if executed in a coordinated fashion, as implementing simultaneous reforms in the labor and product markets could add about 2.5 percent of gross domestic product growth and reduce unemployment by about 2.2 percentage points after five years. If reforms are to be introduced sequentially, due for instance to capacity or political economy constraints, starting with product market reforms is more effective in boosting output in the short-run while starting with labor market reforms would reduce unemployment faster.
July 16, 2019
Morocco: 2019 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Morocco
Description: This 2019 Article IV Consultation with Morocco discusses that gradually increasing growth, moderate inflation, and stronger external and fiscal buffers are expected over the medium term, benefiting from sustained reform implementation. However, this outlook remains subject to significant domestic and external risks: delays in implementing reforms, lower growth in key partner countries (particularly in the euro area), higher oil prices, geopolitical risks, and volatile financial conditions could weaken Morocco’s resilience and economic prospects. Building on progress achieved in recent years, further fiscal and structural reforms are needed to consolidate gains in macroeconomic resilience and achieve higher and more inclusive growth. The discussions mainly focused on strengthening the resilience of the economy through continued fiscal reforms, greater exchange rate flexibility, and strengthened financial sector soundness. It also highlighted the need for pushing ahead with mutually-reinforcing and properly sequenced reforms to raise growth and inclusion, including by improving public sector governance, promoting private sector development, and reducing inequalities.
July 16, 2019
Vietnam: 2019 Article IV Consultation; Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Vietnam
Description: This 2019 Article IV Consultation with Vietnam highlights that gradual fiscal consolidation, strict limits on government guarantees and robust growth in recent years have led to declining government debt, expected to continue under current policies. But while there is some fiscal space, fiscal needs are large, for infrastructure, social spending and to deal with population aging. The tightening of credit growth continued in 2018; however, liquidity remained ample, aided by the strong balance of payments and tight fiscal policies. The State Bank of Vietnam has initiated plans to modernize its monetary framework with IMF technical support. The authorities’ efforts to improve economic institutions and governance continue and the fight against grand corruption has resulted in significant sentences in recent high-profile cases. Improvements in transparency and statistical systems are underway, with support from the IMF and the Financial Action Task Force’s Asia Pacific Group.
July 15, 2019
Singapore: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Technical Note-Fintech: Implications for the Regulation and Supervision of the Financial Sector
Description: This technical note examines the implications of fintech for the regulation and supervision of the Singaporean financial services sector. It provides an overview of the financial system with a focus on fintech developments. The note looks at not only fintech developments but also the institutional setup as well as Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) approach to fintech. The MAS has so far managed to strike the right balance between innovation and safety and soundness. MAS has responded quickly to the challenges of fintech. The impact of fintech on the financial services sector has largely been internalized by financial institutions (FI). FIs are swiftly digitizing and modernizing their systems, products and business models. Because of their market knowledge and higher investment capacities, incumbent FIs are getting better at providing services and products by adopting new technologies or improving existing ones. The note also recommends that it is imperative to develop a cyber network map that considers both financial linkages and Information and Communications Technology connections and use it for cyber risk surveillance.
July 15, 2019
Argentina: Fourth Review under the Stand-By Arrangement, Request for Waivers of Applicability and Modification of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurances Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Staff Supplement
Description: This paper discusses Argentina’s Fourth Review of the Stand-By Arrangement, Request for a Waivers of Applicability and Modification of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurances Review. The report highlights that with very high inflation and an increase in gross financing needs in coming months, discussions centered on how best to mitigate risks to the program, bolster market confidence, and calibrate monetary policy to continue bringing down inflation. The authorities have revamped their debt management strategy to support higher rollovers and an extension of average maturity of new issuance to the degree permitted by market conditions. The authorities have maintained a cautious approach to expenditure authorization in order to safeguard their program’s fiscal targets. The Argentine authorities’ efforts to increase rollover rates on public debt and to lengthen the maturity of new debt issuance should help mitigate financing risks in the period ahead. Ongoing efforts to improve the functioning of local sovereign debt markets will help improve market liquidity and lower financing costs.
July 15, 2019
Singapore: Financial Sector Assessment Program; Technical Note-Macroprudential Policy
Description: This technical note evaluates the macroprudential policy framework in Singapore with a focus on the price effect of macroprudential instruments. It assesses the domestic institutional arrangement, systemic risk monitoring framework, and macroprudential policy toolkit. The note assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the institutional arrangements for macroprudential policymaking and provides recommendations on how to enhance them further. It also describes the existing systemic risk monitoring framework and provides options to strengthen it. The use of macroprudential instruments in recent years and their effects on residential prices have also been discussed. The institutional framework for macroprudential policymaking has been revised and contains a clear mandate and well-defined objectives. The macroprudential mandate is assigned to dedicated committees within Monetary Authority of Singapore, limiting risk of dual mandates for the central bank. The authorities have taken important steps in recent years to develop the macroprudential policy framework and address relevant recommendations.
July 15, 2019
Singapore: 2019 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Singapore
Description: The 2019 Article IV Consultation with Singapore analyses that Singapore’s growth is expected to continue to moderate as export momentum slows and growth drivers shift back to domestic demand. Risks to the near-term outlook are tilted to the downside and arise mainly from external sources. Over the medium term, modern services are expected to become increasingly important in driving growth. The report highlights that policies should be geared toward addressing the challenges to growth and inequality posed by shifts in the global economy, aging, and technological change, which could also promote external rebalancing. Policies have been aimed at boosting growth while promoting greater equity. The authorities are implementing measures to turn Singapore into a global innovation hub, redoubling efforts to boost labor productivity through investment in human, physical and organizational capital, and digitalization. Singapore is also emerging as a regional leader in fintech, supported by Monetary Authority of Singapore. Meanwhile, social policies are being updated, with the aim of raising wages and standards of living for lower-skilled Singaporeans.
July 15, 2019
Singapore: Financial Sector Assessment Program; Technical Note-Crisis Management, Resolution, and Safety Nets
Description: This technical note on Crisis Management, Resolution, and Safety Nets on Singapore highlights that the resolution tools are well designed, with the exception of bail-in powers; however, steps are still needed to operationalize the resolution plans. The note reviews current practices, considering international best practice principles as outlined in the Financial Stability Board’s Key Attributes for Effective Resolution of Financial Institutions and the International Association of Deposit Insurers’ Core Principles Effective Deposit Insurance Systems. Monetary Authority of Singapore currently develops resolution plans for Domestic Systemically Important Bank only. The resolution plans for each institution must be reviewed for both internal consistency and cross-institutional consistency. Some extension of resolution planning should be considered. The funding arrangements for resolution aim at limiting public sector exposure to loss. Losses will be first borne by equity holders and unsecured subordinated creditors. When additional funds are required, the deposit insurance fund, built by ex-ante premiums from members, can be used to support the resolution of members on an equivalent cost basis.
July 15, 2019
Singapore: Financial Sector Assessment Program; Detailed Assessment Of Observance-CPSS-IOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures
Description: This Detailed Assessment of Observance on the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems-International Organization of Securities Commissions Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures on Singapore discusses that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has taken important steps to address the recommendations made for capital market financial market infrastructures (FMIs). MAS has led efforts to develop international guidance on the cyber resilience for FMIs and moved swiftly to strengthen Singapore’s governance and resiliency of the payment system. The assessment of New MAS Electronic Payment and Book-Entry System (MEPS+) finds that most of the principles are observed, however, also identifies opportunities for further improvement relative to international best practices. One of the several observations is that the legal basis is sound with further enhancements made for insolvency protection, designation criteria, and administrative powers for MAS. Also, governance arrangements are clear and transparent and should continue to ensure the independence of the oversight and supervisory functions for MEPS+.
July 15, 2019
Singapore: Financial System Stability Assessment
Description: This Financial System Stability Assessment paper on Singapore highlights the attractiveness of Singapore as a financial center is underpinned by strong economic fundamentals, sound economic policies, and a sophisticated financial oversight framework. The financial system is exposed to global and regional macrofinancial shocks through significant trade and financial channels but appears resilient even under adverse scenarios. However, banks’ US dollar liquidity is vulnerable to stress conditions. Fintech developments so far have focused on partnerships with existing financial institutions and do not appear to contribute significantly to systemic risk. Singapore authorities should continue to enhance its strong oversight of the financial system. Strengthening the framework for resolution and safety nets, namely by devoting more resources to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)’ Resolution Unit; and enhancing the oversight of MAS Electronic Payments System by ensuring more staffing resources are two other important areas for action.