Country Reports
2017
January 11, 2017
Finland: Financial Sector Assessment Program: Technical Note-Banking Supervision
Description: This Technical Note discusses the findings and recommendations made in the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) for Finland in the area of banking supervision. The regulatory and supervisory framework for liquidity and funding risk has improved since the last FSAP, but certain vulnerabilities persist and require greater attention. Finnish banks continue to rely extensively on wholesale funding, as noted in the 2010 FSAP. Although supervisory action has managed to mitigate the problem, many banks remain heavily exposed to the risk of a dry-up of unsecured wholesale funding. Also, banks hold covered bonds issued by other banks as part of their liquidity buffer.
January 11, 2017
Finland: Financial Sector Assessment Program: Technical Note-Stress Testing the Banking System and Interconnectedness Analysis
Description: This Technical Note discusses the results of stress testing of Finland’s banking system. Despite high capitalization levels, there are important vulnerabilities in the Finnish banking system. Near-term risks are largely tilted to the downside, stemming from both external and domestic sources. A sharper-than-expected global growth slowdown would be a drag on Finland’s export and GDP growth. Although so far high compared with the rest of the euro area banks, Finnish banks’ profitability is facing challenges from the low interest rate environment and the low economic growth. Vulnerabilities include funding risks, contagion risks, and challenges related to long-term profitability.
January 11, 2017
Finland: Financial sector Assessment Program: Technical Note-Macroprudential Policy Framework
Description: This Technical Note discusses the findings and recommendations made in the Financial Sector Assessment Program for Finland in the area of macroprudential policy framework. The Finnish authorities regularly coordinate and collaborate with international bodies on macroprudential policy. Several macroprudential instruments were formally introduced in the legislation and activated recently. The 2014 Act on Credit Institutions implements macroprudential instruments, including those set out in the European Capital Requirement Directive. Despite the important progress made, there are some improvements that should be considered. The macroprudential policy toolkit should be expanded. The systemic risk buffer should be added to the toolkit, although its activation and level may still need further analysis.
January 10, 2017
Rwanda: First Review of the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement and Sixth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, Request for Waiver and Modification of Performance and Assessment Criteria-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: This paper discusses Rwanda’s First Review of the Standby Credit Facility (SCF) Arrangement and Sixth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI), Request for Waiver and Modification of Performance and Assessment Criteria. Performance under the PSI and SCF-supported programs remains on track. Nearly all quantitative program targets and structural benchmarks were respected: two quantitative targets were missed by minor amounts, and one benchmark was delayed. The IMF staff recommends approval of the first review of the SCF arrangement and the sixth review of the program supported by the PCI, as well as the request for waiver of nonobservance of the continuous external arrears criterion, and modification of forthcoming program criteria.
January 10, 2017
Uganda: Seventh Review Under the Policy Support Instrument-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: The economy has performed reasonably well in a complex environment. Growth slowed marginally in FY15/16, reflecting muted sentiment in an election year and adverse global and regional developments. Growth should nudge up in FY16/17 to 5 percent, low compared to past performance and regional peers. Credit to the private sector has stalled, and non-performing loans (NPLs) have increased, also reflecting domestic government arrears. The current account deficit is fully financed. The Shilling has stabilized after a sharp depreciation in 2015, and international reserve coverage remains adequate.
January 4, 2017
Senegal: Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper offers policy recommendations for Senegal to reach high and sustained growth with the goal of exiting low-income country status. For Senegal to reach Plan Sénégal Emergent (PSE) objectives, reforms under the PSE need to create space for small and medium-sized enterprises and foreign direct investment to thrive. Reform of Senegal’s business environment needs to be accelerated. Macrostructural reforms should be stepped up in the energy sector, in which Senegal still ranks 170th in the world. Progress in the electricity sector can be achieved by continuing to improve reliability of supply and reduce electricity costs. Reform of the taxation system, by simplifying procedures and optimizing the tax rates, is another macro-critical area in which Senegal needs to make significant strides.
January 4, 2017
Senegal: Staff Report for the Article IV Consultation and Third Review Under the Policy Support Instrument-Press Release, and Staff Report
Description: This Article IV Consultation highlights that Senegal’s macroeconomic situation is stable. Growth is expected to exceed 6 percent in 2016, while inflation remains low. The fiscal deficit has been declining steadily from 5.5 percent of GDP in 2013 and is projected to reach 4.2 percent of GDP in 2016. The current account deficit has narrowed and is projected to reach 6.5 percent of GDP in 2016, driven by lower oil prices and improved export performance. The outlook for the Senegalese economy is positive and risks are manageable, provided there is a concerted effort to continue improving economic governance.
2016
December 28, 2016
Guinea-Bissau: First and Second Reviews Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for Rephasing of Disbursements, Modification of Performance Criteria and Financing Assurances Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Guinea-Bissau
Description: This paper discusses Guinea-Bissau’s First and Second Reviews Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, Request for Rephasing of Disbursements, Modification of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurances Review. All performance criteria for the first and second reviews were met. The IMF staff discussions with the authorities focused on measures to fill the 2016 financing gap that resulted from the loss of budget support and steps to reignite structural reforms. The authorities undertook remedial measures, including declaring the bank bailout operation null and void and measures to address weaknesses in public financial management. The IMF staff supports completion of the first and second reviews under the ECF arrangement and the authorities’ requests for modification of performance criteria and rephasing of disbursements.
Notes: Also Available in Portuguese
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2016
December 22, 2016
Sierra Leone: Sixth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Financing Assurances Review and Request for Waiver for Nonobservance of Performance Criteria-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: This paper discusses Sierra Leone’s Sixth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, Financing Assurances Review, and Request for Waiver for Nonobservance of Performance Criteria. Growth is expected to reach 6.5 percent in the medium term. However, risks to the outlook are firmly to the downside. Revenues are too low to finance key infrastructure projects. Iron ore production has become moderately profitable, but there is downside risk to iron ore prices. The IMF staff supports the authorities’ request for completion of the sixth (last) review of the ECF arrangement, as well as the request for a waiver for nonobservance of the continuous performance criteria on nonintroduction of multiple currency practices.