Country Reports
2017
December 8, 2017
Mauritius: Staff Report for the 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release and Staff Report
Description: This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that the international reserve buffers have improved substantially in Mauritius. The government intends to pursue an ambitious growth strategy anchored on significant public investments in infrastructure and improvements in the business environment. Growth is projected at 3.9 percent in 2017, and about 4.0 percent over the medium term. The authorities have taken steps to mitigate financial stability risks and are well-advanced in modernizing financial sector regulation. However, the vibrant Global Business Sector faces pressure from international anti-tax avoidance initiatives. Fiscal space is limited, fiscal risks are increasing, and there are signs of building inflationary pressures.
December 8, 2017
Mauritius: Selected Issues
Description: This paper discusses how Mauritius is currently dealing with two separate tax transparency and anti-avoidance initiatives, one by the OECD-G20 and one by the European Union. Under the BEPS initiative, Mauritius has committed to including minimum standards and possibly other BEPS-compliant features into its domestic laws and bilateral double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAs). Mauritius has been involved in intensive DTA negotiations and re-negotiations. Sixteen DTAs have been added in the past 6 years. Arguably, even more important for investors has been the favorable tax framework offering benefits that are in part being challenged. Mauritius currently has a 15 percent corporate income tax (CIT) rate and a worldwide system that taxes foreign earnings but allows for foreign tax credits (FTCs), including the contested Deemed Foreign Tax Credit. Important macrofinancial linkages between the GBC sector and the financial sector present vulnerabilities that need to be managed carefully. The GBC sector is a major provider of inexpensive funding to banks, but by nature of the GBC investment pattern, these deposits are potentially highly volatile.
December 7, 2017
Georgia: First Review under the Extended Fund Facility and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: This paper discusses Georgia’s First Review Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria (PCs). The program is on track with all end-June 2017 performance criteria and structural benchmarks met. Economic activity has strengthened on the back of stronger growth in main trading partners. Fiscal overperformance and efforts to address structural weaknesses have helped boost confidence. The economic recovery is gaining momentum, inflation is projected to decline starting in early 2018, and the external position has strengthened. The IMF staff supports the authorities’ request for completion of the First Review under the EFF and the modification of three quantitative PCs.
December 7, 2017
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release and Staff Report
Description: This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that Timor-Leste’s non-oil real GDP growth in 2016 is estimated at 5.5 percent, supported by a near doubling of government capital spending, albeit with large import leakages. Real total GDP declined by 7.9 percent in 2016, owing to a sharp fall in oil production. The overall fiscal deficit widened to 30.8 percent of GDP in 2016. Non-oil real GDP growth is projected to moderate to 3 percent in 2017, owing to lower government expenditure and the slowdown of activity owing to the delayed formation of the new government after the parliamentary elections in July. Inflationary pressures remain low, albeit with a return to positive territory with rising global food and fuel prices.
December 6, 2017
People’s Republic of China: Financial System Stability Assessment-Press Release and Statement by the Executive Director for People’s Republic of China
Description: This paper discusses the findings of the Financial System Stability Assessment (FSAP) for China. Since the 2011 FSAP, China’s impressive economic growth has continued, and it is now undertaking a necessary but prolonged economic and financial transformation. However, tensions have also emerged in various areas of the Chinese financial system. The monetary and fiscal policies aimed at supporting employment and growth have been expansionary in recent years. Pressures to keep nonviable firms open are strong, particularly at the local government level, where these objectives, at times, conflict with financial stability. The demand for high-yield investment products coupled with strengthening oversight of the banking sector has also led to regulatory arbitrage and the growth of increasingly complex investment vehicles.
December 6, 2017
People’s Republic of China: Detailed Assessment Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes
Description: This paper discusses the key findings of the assessment of the current state of the implementation of the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision in China. China’s legal framework sets clear responsibilities and objectives for banking supervision in China. Overall, China Banking Regulatory Commission’s (CBRC) legal mandate and responsibilities, supported by broad powers, enables CBRC to conduct banking supervision in an effective way, with a primary focus on safety and soundness. A comprehensive set of regulations and procedures have provided CBRC with the necessary tools to properly operationalize its mandate, while strong enforcement powers further support the effectiveness of supervisory actions. Cooperation and collaboration with local and foreign authorities are also in place.
December 1, 2017
Maldives: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Maldives
Description: This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that Maldives’ economy grew by 3.9 percent in 2016 and continues to improve in 2017 on a recovery in tourism and a continued strength in construction. The fiscal deficit widened in 2016 driven by lower-than-expected revenue and large arrears clearance despite unchanged current spending. Public debt as a share of GDP rose nearly 11.5 percentage points from 2014–16. The outlook is for a strengthening recovery in the near term, with low inflation, loose financial conditions, but with significant downside risks from a fragile fiscal and external position. Growth is projected to recover in 2017 and stabilize over the medium term.
November 30, 2017
Mexico: Arrangement Under the Flexible Credit Line and Cancellation of Current Arrangement-Press Release and Staff Report
Description: This paper discusses Mexico’s Arrangement Under the Flexible Credit Line (FCL) and Cancellation of Current Arrangement. Mexico continues to face significant uncertainty regarding the pace and outcome of the negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement. The authorities are requesting a two-year precautionary FCL arrangement and the cancellation of the current arrangement, approved on May 27, 2016. They consider that, in an environment where external risks affecting Mexico remain elevated, an FCL arrangement in the requested amount will play a critical role in supporting their overall macroeconomic strategy, preserving investor confidence, and providing insurance against tail risks. The IMF staff supports the authorities’ request.
November 30, 2017
Rwanda: Request for Extensions of the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement and the Policy Support Instrument-Press Release and Staff Report
Description: This paper discusses Rwanda’s Request for Extensions of the Standby Credit Facility (SCF) Arrangement and the Policy Support Instrument. The SCF is aimed at complementing the authorities’ efforts to address growing external imbalances. Both near and medium term adjustment policies to position Rwanda’s external position on a sustainable basis are part of an overall strategy to support growth, support poverty reduction and improve the country’s resilience to future uncertainties in the global economy. Program performance is on track. All continuous and end-June 2017 quantitative assessment/performance criteria were met, as were almost all indicative targets. Most structural benchmarks have already been met or are in progress. The IMF staff supports the authorities’ request for the extensions through January 31, 2018.
November 22, 2017
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Description: This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights slower growth in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia following a solid economic recovery since the global financial crisis. Growth slowed to 2.4 percent in 2016 and contracted by 0.9 percent in the first half of 2017. Economic activity has been supported by private consumption and exports, while negative effects from prolonged political instability have restrained investment and slowed down corporate credit growth. Inflation has gradually picked up, after staying negative during the past few years. Public debt is projected to rise to 47 percent of GDP in 2017. Currently, the government is in the process of preparing the draft economic program.