Country Reports

April 5, 2016

Republic of Kosovo: Technical Assistance Report- Public Investment Management Assessment

Description: This paper assesses public investment in the Republic of Kosovo. Public investment levels in Kosovo have exceeded comparator counties’ over the last four years, partially owing to the need to build up its relatively low level of capital stock. Despite the high level of spending, the efficiency of Kosovo’s public investment is relatively low. Most of Kosovo’s public investment institutions are of good or medium strength on paper, but much weaker in their practical implementation. Planning institutions for investment are comprehensive but not fully effective. Systems for allocating funds for capital investment are assessed good or medium, with some implementation gaps.

Notes: Also Available in Albanian

April 4, 2016

West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): Selected Issues

Description: This paper presents stylized facts on the quantitative and qualitative infrastructure gap in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), estimates the efficiency of public investment, and recommends how to improve it. The WAEMU countries face an important common challenge of creating sufficient fiscal space to finance ambitious growth, development, and poverty-reduction programs in individual countries. This paper also provides comparative evidence of the situation of WAEMU in several areas of financial development relative to groups of benchmark countries. The state of inclusion in the WAEMU along three dimensions—poverty, income inequality, and gender inequality—is also examined in this paper.

Notes: Also Available in French

April 4, 2016

Guinea: Sixth and Seventh Reviews under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Financing Assurances Review, and Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria, Extension of the Arrangement, and Rephasing of Disbursements-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Guinea

Description: This report reviews Guinea’s economic performance under the program supported by an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. Guinea was declared free of the Ebola epidemic at end-2015, and after two years of stagnant activity, growth is expected to rebound this year. After solid performance in 2014, ECF program implementation weakened in 2015. Following last October’s Presidential elections, there has been a concerted effort to bring the ECF-supported program back on-track. Macroeconomic policies for 2016 aim to improve reserves coverage to three months of imports, and keep inflation within single digit figures as envisioned in the 2015 ECF-supported program. The 2016 budget envisions a significant broad-based fiscal contraction.

April 1, 2016

Portugal: Third Post-Program Discussions-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Portugal

Description: This report discusses key issues related to the economy of Portugal. Highly accommodative macroeconomic conditions have generated only modest growth in the presence of remaining structural impediments. In 2015, low interest rates, a weak euro, and low oil prices remained largely in place, allowing growth to reach 1.5 percent. The 2016 budget proposal appears insufficiently ambitious to put public debt on a firmly downward trajectory, with significant risks to execution. Bank balance sheets need to be strengthened to avoid further negative surprises and protect taxpayers. Envisaged labor and product market policies imply at least a partial reversal of structural measures introduced during the IMF-supported program.

April 1, 2016

Pakistan: Tenth Review Under the Extended Arrangement and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Pakistan

Description: This paper discusses economic performance status and policy developments of Pakistan. Amid setbacks to structural reform, the authorities have made substantial progress in restoring economic stability. Economic activity continues to strengthen gradually. International reserve buffers are increasing amid a broadly stable current account deficit. However, there are number of risks to the economy. Slower growth in key advanced markets such as China and the Gulf can further erode export competiveness. The Pakistani government is determined to maintain fiscal consolidation in FY 2015/16 and over the medium term. Continued tax administration reforms are important for further improving tax compliance and supporting revenue mobilization.

April 1, 2016

West African Economic and Monetary Union: Common Policies of Member Countries-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for West African Economic and Monetary Union

Description: This paper discusses recent economic developments, outlook, and risks of West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Despite the fragile security situation in some member countries and a less favorable external environment in 2015, economic growth exceeded 6 percent for the second consecutive year, driven by ongoing infrastructure investments, solid private consumption, and favorable agricultural campaigns. This paper also discusses how timely and effective implementation of the planned policies is required at the national level to maintain the growth momentum while preserving external stability and debt sustainability and to enact the planned regulatory reforms and improve further supervisory processes and the enforcement of existing prudential norms.

Notes: Also Available in French

March 28, 2016

Belize: 2015 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Director for Belize

Description: This paper discusses key issues of the Belize economy. The economic condition of Belize is characterized by sluggish growth and a weak fiscal stance, which have put public debt on an unsustainable path. Social and poverty challenges remain significant. The unemployment rate remains high compared with its 2008 level of 8 percent, despite a reduction to 12.1 percent in September 2014 from 14.2 percent in September 2013. Per capita GDP remains far below its regional peers. This paper also focuses on measures that would signal credible commitment to fiscal consolidation, strengthen the financial system, and boost economic, growth taking into account constraints on human and financial resources.

March 28, 2016

Belize: Selected Issues

Description: This paper discusses three important sectors of Belize economy: financial, sugar market, and energy. Belize’s banking system has continued to strengthen since the 2014 Article IV Consultation in June 2014. Despite recent improvements, some banks’ balance sheets are still weak and exposed to adverse macroeconomic developments. The sugar sector makes a very important contribution to Belize’s economy. The sector is estimated to account for about 4-5 percent of GDP, 9-10 percent of total exports, 8 percent of employment, and 5-6 percent of foreign exchange earnings. But the reform of EU sugar regime, scheduled to take full effect in 2017, will most likely cause a significant drop in the EU sugar price.

March 23, 2016

Montenegro: Financial System Stability Assessment

Description: This paper focuses on the important issues of Montenegro economy which are as follows: microfinancial setting, financial system resilience, financial oversight, resolution of nonperforming loans, and financial safety nets. Montenegro is still dealing with the aftermath of the collapse of the lending boom in 2008. Economic momentum has accelerated in 2015, but there are numerous downside risks. System-wide solvency and liquidity indicators appear broadly sound, but significant pockets of vulnerabilities exist among domestically owned banks. Decisive action to deal with weak banks is critical for preserving financial stability. While the legal, regulatory, and supervisory frameworks for banking and insurance sector have markedly improved since 2006 Financial Sector Assessment Program, further progress is required.

March 23, 2016

Solomon Islands: 2016 Article IV Consultation and Fifth and Sixth Reviews Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Solomon Islands

Description: This paper presents an overview of Solomon Islands’ economy. Although Solomon Islands is a small island state, low-income country that is severely affected by external shocks, including commodity price declines, natural disasters, and climate change, it has achieved considerable gains in terms of macroeconomic stability under the Extended Credit Facility program. Despite the low access, the program has been effective in catalyzing donor support. Economic growth in 2015 is estimated at 3¼ percent. Near-term prospects remain favorable but new sources of growth are needed over the medium term. Key policy recommendations have been discussed in the paper to further strengthen the economy of Solomon Islands.