Country Reports
2018
November 20, 2018
Kuwait: Technical Assistance Report-Government Finance Statistics
Description: In response to a request from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) of Kuwait, a government finance statistics (GFS) technical assistance (TA) mission visited Kuwait City, Kuwait during April 29–May 3, 2018. This first GFS TA mission from the IMF’s Statistics Department (STA) aimed to assist the CSB staff in compiling fiscal data according to the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014) and help them to issue this year’s GFS bulletin according to the GFSM 2014 classification. In addition, the mission discussed with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) the possibility of resuming the reporting of the GFS data to the Fund for surveillance and dissemination in Government Finance Statistics Yearbook (GFSY).
November 20, 2018
United Kingdom-Anguilla-British Overseas Territory: Technical Assistance Report-Report on External Sector Statistics Mission (March 27–31, 2017)
Description: A technical assistance (TA) mission on external sector statistics (ESS) was conducted in The Valley, Anguilla, during March 27–31, 2017. This was the first mission to Anguilla carried out as part of the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC) work program on external sector statistics (ESS) and in response to requests from the Anguilla Statistics Department (ASD) of Anguilla’s Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Commerce, Tourism, Land & Physical Planning (MFED).1 The purpose of the mission was to assist the ASD in strengthening the compilation and dissemination of ESS. This is intended to facilitate a robust assessment of external sector developments and policy impact. Reliable ESS are essential for informed economic policy-making by the authorities.
November 20, 2018
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: Technical Assistance Report-Report on the External Sector Statistics Mission (March 12–22, 2018)
Description: A technical assistance (TA) mission on external sector statistics (ESS) was conducted in Beirut, Lebanon, during March 12–22, 2018, for the Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB).1 The mission took place at the request of the DAB and with strong support of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department. This mission is part of the Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Center (METAC) work program. The main objectives of the mission were to assist the DAB in improving the quality of the balance of payments and International Investment Position (IIP) by suggesting improvements in the statistical techniques and promoting the use of adequate source data. The main focus of the mission was on filling data gaps by developing new estimation methods based on existing and new data sources.
November 16, 2018
Belize: Selected Issues Paper
Description: This Selected Issues paper analyzes Belize’s correspondent banking relationships (CBR). All affected banks have found some replacements CBRs and alternative ways of processing cross border transactions. The analysis uses a dataset based on a bank-level survey and the IMF staff’s minimum scope framework. Pressures from the loss of correspondent banking relationships appeared to be easing. The US dollar continued to dominate CBR transactions, but its share has been declining. CBR pressures appear to be easing but risks remain. Risks include CBR counterparty credit risk and withdrawal risk, in addition to remaining supervisory gaps which could potentially add to CBR pressures. The importance of CBR in supporting economic activity and financial stability is highlighted in several studies. The results of the study results are consistent with the view that the recovery in CBRs in Belize will support credit growth and economic activity. Ensuring the availability and timely access to beneficial ownership of legal persons and arrangements established in Belize would limit the opportunity for their misuse and improve the transparency and the reputation of the sector.
November 16, 2018
Belize: Climate Change Policy Assessment
Description: Belize is exceptionally vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. It already faces hurricanes, flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, and droughts, with impacts likely to intensify given expected increases in weather volatility and sea temperature. Hence, planning for resilience-building, and engagement with development partners on environmental reforms, have been central to Belizean policymaking for many years, since well before Belize submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Accord in 2015. This Climate Change Policy Assessment (CCPA) takes stock of Belize’s plans to manage its climate response, from the perspective of their macroeconomic and fiscal implications. The CCPA is a joint initiative by the IMF and World Bank to assist small states to understand and manage the expected economic impact of climate change, while safeguarding long-run fiscal and external sustainability. It explores the possible impact of climate change and natural disasters on the macroeconomy and the cost of Belize’s planned response. It suggests macroeconomically relevant reforms that could strengthen the likelihood of success of the national strategy and identifies policy gaps and resource needs.
November 16, 2018
Belize: 2018 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; Informational Annex; Debit Sustainability Analysis and Statement by the Executive Director for Belize
Description: Belize’s economic growth has slowed over the last five years, following decades of outperforming regional peers. As in other countries in the region, a central challenge is exiting the cycle of low growth and elevated public debt. Belize’s 2017 debt rescheduling provided cash flow relief. In March 2017, the government reached a restructuring agreement with private external bondholders on its US$526 million bond (about 30 percent of GDP).1 As part of the agreement, the authorities committed to tighten the fiscal stance by 3.0 percentage points in FY2017/18 and to maintain a primary surplus of 2.0 percent of GDP for the subsequent three years. The authorities are delivering on these commitments and have made progress in implementing recent Article IV recommendations (Annex I).
November 16, 2018
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe: Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper focuses on the prospects of growth in São Tomé and Príncipe (STP). This case study seeks explanations for STP’s relative under-performance and draws lessons for the future. It compares past economic developments in the islands and recommends policies that could most effectively foster future growth in STP. Country-specific characteristics as well as weak institutions contributed to STP’s relative underperformance since independence. Initial conditions, particularly regarding human capital and natural resources, contributed to STP’s relative underperformance, especially in the first decade after independence. Experience in the four island-states suggests that fiscal discipline, revenue mobilization, and a more active private sector, particularly in the tourism sector, may be key to tap STP’s growth potential. Fiscal discipline is needed to contain the fiscal deficit and bring the debt to a sustainable level. Continuing to strengthen public financial management, including implementing multiannual fiscal framework as recommended by the IMF technical assistance, would help.
November 15, 2018
Colombia: Technical Assistance Report-Report on Sectoral Financial Accounts and Balance Sheets Technical Assistance Mission
Description: Colombia is working towards compiling quarterly sectoral accounts and balance sheets to support domestic policymaking by gaining a much deeper understanding of the interrelationship between the real sector accounts and the financial accounts, and the vulnerabilities that may reside in specific sectors as sources for spillovers to other sectors. Sectoral accounts and balance sheets are critical to help detect systemic risks, vulnerabilities, and possible contagion from economic shocks. The authorities continued to acknowledge the additional benefit from work in this area as it moves towards subscription to the IMF’s Special Data Dissemination Standard Plus and continued accession negotiations with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The priority is first on establishing timely annual integrated estimates between the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) and the BRC, followed by quarterly estimates.
November 15, 2018
Colombia: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Detailed Assessment Report on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism
Description: This report provides a summary of the anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures in place in Colombia as at the date of the onsite visit (June 5 to 22, 2017). It analyzes the level of compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40 Recommendations and the level of effectiveness of Colombia’s AML/CFT system, and provides recommendations on how the system could be strengthened.
November 15, 2018
Colombia: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes on FATF Recommendations for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism
Description: Colombia has a reasonable understanding of its main domestic money laundering/terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks. The country’s understanding of risks relies particularly on the results of the 2013 and 2016 National Risk Assessments (NRAs). • The 2016 NRA has yielded reasonable findings with respect to the identification of the main ML threats and vulnerabilities. • The AML/CFT supervisory systems and tools are not entirely in line with the risk-based approach (RBA), and there are significant gaps in the supervision of designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs). • Colombia investigates and prosecutes ML effectively, but not in a manner that is commensurate with its ML risks.