Country Reports
2018
June 26, 2018
The People's Republic of China: Financial Sector Assessment Program; Systemic Oversight of Financial Market Infrastructures - Technical Note
Description: This Technical Note analyzes financial stability issues related to financial market infrastructures (FMIs) in China. Since the previous Financial Sector Assessment Program, the supervision and oversight of FMIs has strengthened through the adoption of the CPSS–IOSCO (Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems/International Organization of Securities Commissions) Principles for FMIs (PFMI). The public adoption of the PFMI by the authorities in 2013 and the establishment of an interagency platform to assess FMIs are commendable. Full implementation of the principles by FMIs is the next step and is expected to enhance the resilience and stability of the FMIs.
June 26, 2018
The People's Republic of China: Financial Sector Assessment Program; Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)-Technical Note
Description: This Technical Note discusses the findings and recommendations made in the Financial Sector Assessment Program for China in the areas of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). The Chinese authorities have taken significant measures to enhance the AML/CFT legislative and regulatory framework since the 2007 Mutual Evaluation Report and have continued after the completion of the 2012 Mutual Evaluation follow-up report to take additional steps to bring the AML/CFT regime in line with the revised Financial Action Task Force standard. Continuing to implement these initiatives will strengthen the AML/CFT regime going forward. The authorities should also prioritize the completion of the National Risk Assessment.
June 25, 2018
Uganda: Technical Assistance Report-Initiating the Stock-Taking of the Public Investment Program
Description: This Technical Assistance Report discusses the initiation of the stock-taking of the public investment program in Uganda. This stock-taking will provide a basis for better budgeting by providing information on the existing multi-year project commitments, and the incremental recurrent costs for operation and maintenance of the assets delivered. It will also identify a basic information structure for each project and subsequently collect a data baseline, providing a foundation for more robust project monitoring. It will aid the management of the overall project portfolio. By identifying the scale of existing multi-annual commitments, it will avoid adding projects to the investment pipeline, which cannot be financed under the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.
June 25, 2018
Republic of Lithuania: 2018 Article IV Consultation - Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Lithuania
Description: This 2018 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of Lithuania picked up steam in 2017, following two years of sluggish growth. Real GDP expanded by 3.9 percent largely because of the acceleration of investment, which benefited from credit growth and high capacity utilization. Private consumption remained the main engine of growth, though it was held back by decelerating real wages. The external current account swung to a modest surplus with exports benefiting from past investments in export capacity and improved external demand. Growth in 2018 is projected at 3.2 percent, mainly because of weaker exports after a very strong performance in 2017 and a slowdown of consumption driven by negative employment growth.
June 25, 2018
Cote d'Ivoire: Staff Report for the 2018 Article IV Consultation and Third Reviews Under the Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility and Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility, and Request for Modification of a Performance Criterion
Description: This IMF Staff Report highlights that the robust economic growth in Côte d’Ivoire is projected to continue in 2018. The inflation remains subdued. The program aims to achieve a sustainable balance of payments position, foster inclusive growth and poverty reduction, and create fiscal space for investing in priority infrastructure and social projects. Strong economic performance since 2012, with average annual growth of 9 percent, reflected the economic recovery following political normalization, improved business environment, strong program of reforms, and supportive fiscal policy. A key policy challenge is to sustain robust growth and make it more inclusive and private sector-driven. Robust medium-term growth is expected to be supported by domestic demand.
June 25, 2018
Republic of Lithuania: Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper analyzes the fiscal challenges in Lithuania. Lithuania’s fiscal position has strengthened in recent years. However, medium term challenges are significant given the severe demographic pressures from population aging and net emigration. Lithuania’s net financial worth of the general government is relatively strong compared with other countries in the region although contingent liabilities from the pension system are sizable. The recent reform of the pension system will help make the system more fiscally sustainable. Upcoming reforms should be carefully designed, considering their trade-offs, to ensure social sustainability; reduce old-age poverty; and limit adverse impact on labor supply and informality.
June 22, 2018
Togo: Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria
Description: This paper discusses Togo’s Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria. Despite the ensuing revenue underperformance, the fiscal position improved significantly as expenditure was curtailed. All continuous and end-December 2017 quantitative performance criteria (QPCs) were met, as well as the structural benchmarks. The indicative target on fiscal revenue was missed by about 2 percent of GDP and the indicative target on social spending was missed by a small margin (0.2 percent of GDP). The IMF staff supports the completion of the second ECF review as well as the modification of end-June 2018 QPCs on the domestic primary balance and net domestic financing and the continuous QPC on nonconcessional external borrowing.
June 21, 2018
St. Lucia: Climate Change Policy Assessment
Description: This paper takes stock of St. Lucia’s plans to manage climate change, from the perspective of their macroeconomic implications, and suggests macro-relevant reforms that could strengthen the likelihood of success of the national strategy. To meet its renewable energy plans, St. Lucia will need to mobilize private investment. External assistance will be needed to develop supporting infrastructure. Building capacity for project assessment and investment promotion is a high priority, to shape needed investments into bankable projects. Elsewhere, capacity-building would be most useful to help cost sectoral plans, complete the disaster-preparedness strategy, move toward carbon taxation, and strengthen skills in public investment management and public financial management.
June 20, 2018
Sri Lanka: 2018 Article IV Consultation and the Fourth Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Sri Lanka
Description: This 2018 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Sri Lankan economy is expected to normalize gradually. Following subdued growth in 2017 owing to the lingering effects of weather-related shocks, a recovery is under way as agriculture has started to rebound and growth in exports remains robust. Real GDP growth is expected to reach 4 percent in 2018 and about 5 percent over the medium term. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has effectively curbed credit growth and stabilized inflation, despite recent pressures. However, the economy remains vulnerable to adverse domestic and external shocks, given the still sizable public debt, large refinancing needs, and low external buffers.
June 20, 2018
Sri Lanka: Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper discusses measures needed for structural transformation in Sri Lanka. The government has ambitious plans to achieve upper middle-income country status in 2025 by transforming Sri Lanka in an Indian Ocean Hub for trade, investment, and services. Stable and transparent regulatory systems would make Sri Lanka’s business environment more attractive for long-term investment and support trade integration. Reviewing trade barriers and developing a phased and sequenced strategy for gradual removal of restrictions is a first necessary step toward enabling more competitive trade. In this regard, the authorities’ decision to gradually rationalize para-tariffs and set up automated approval systems is a welcome step. Ongoing open consultative processes on reform strategies can also help building public consensus in support of these important objectives.