Country Reports

May 28, 2014

Switzerland: Staff Report for the 2014 Article IV Consultation

Description: This 2014 Article IV Consultation outlines that the growth of the Swiss economy has gathered pace, but inflation remains close to zero. The recovery is expected to continue and inflation should rise gradually although the output gap will progressively close. The fiscal position is healthy, with a broadly neutral stance projected for 2014. Despite improved market confidence toward the euro area and tapering in the United States, the exchange rate has remained close to the floor. The authorities have taken several measures to contain risks, including raising the countercyclical capital buffer and adopting prudential measures to tighten lending standards and conditions.

May 27, 2014

Kiribati: Staff Report for the 2014 Article IV Consultation

Description: KEY ISSUES Kiribati’s key economic challenges are to reduce large structural fiscal imbalances and increase growth and employment opportunities, while facing obstacles posed by remoteness, lack of scale, vulnerabilities to external shocks and climate change. The significant fiscal consolidation envisaged by the authorities will help stabilize Kiribati’s sovereign wealth fund (the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund, or RERF) in real per capita terms. This stabilization effort would also require that fishing license fees remain close to recent exceptionally high levels, with windfall incomes relative to the conservative budgeted baseline saved. In the event of weaker fishing license fee revenues, a more ambitious adjustment in the non-fishing budget would be needed. The small private sector share in the economy due to remoteness and weaknesses in business climate constrains growth and puts strain on public finances. Continuing the fiscal and structural reform program is essential. Climate change brings additional risks and fiscal costs. Main Recommendations: • Continue fiscal reforms designed to deliver fiscal consolidation and improved public financial management. Seek to maintain fishing license fees above the current conservative budget baseline, with windfalls saved to strengthen RERF balances. If fishing license fee windfalls cannot be sustained, explore other options to further strengthen fiscal balances. • Continue reforms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). • Facilitate growth through improving the business climate and infrastructure, including through streamlining government services.

May 27, 2014

Ireland: Report on Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC)

Description: This Report on Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) on Ireland highlights that the Central Bank of Ireland has made significant progress in implementing a proactive and intensive approach to supervision. The Probability Risk and Impact System, the backbone of the new risk-based supervisory approach, is intellectually appealing and significant progress was evident to the mission and recognized by market participants. The reform process is relatively young and effective implementation is still a work in progress that demands additional skills and resources. It is critical to maintain a clear direction and focus on implementation efforts, and that enforcement powers are used as a successful deterrent, including the new powers the Central Bank of Ireland was given under the Central Bank of Ireland Act 2013. The Central Bank of Ireland has set up sound foundations; however, gauging the full effectiveness of the reforms requires time for the new framework to season and for staff to gain experience through its use.

May 27, 2014

Ireland: Detailed Assessment of Observance of Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision

Description: This Detailed Assessment of Observance of Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision on Ireland reflects the regulatory and supervisory framework in place as of the date of the assessment. This assessment has been prepared according to the Revised Core Principles Methodology issued by the Basel Committee of Banking Supervision (BCBS). The Irish authorities chose to be assessed against the Essential and Additional Criteria but to be graded against only the Essential Criteria. Although there is no observed interference, the legislation provides for the approval of the Minister for Finance for: setting the levy structure to fund supervision, denying a license application, involuntary revocation of a banking license. The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) undertakes supervisory activities to understand the overall structure of the banking group for which it is ultimately responsible and supervises and monitors material activities (including nonbanking activities conducted by entities in the wider group, both domestic and cross-border.

May 27, 2014

Ireland: Detailed Assessment of Observance of IOSCO Objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation

Description: This Detailed Assessment of Observance assessment of Ireland was carried out using the 2011 International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Methodology for Assessing Implementation of the IOSCO Principles. The legal framework is robust and provides the Central Bank of Ireland with broad supervisory, investigative and enforcement powers. There are arrangements for on-site and off-site monitoring of regulated entities. Thematic reviews in selected areas have complemented such monitoring. The Central Bank and the Irish Stock Exchange have also developed sound systems for market surveillance. Certain aspects of the legal provisions regarding the governance structure of the Central Bank of Ireland raise concerns about its independence, although there were no indications of any interference with day-to-day operations. The regime that applies to entities that have issued their securities to the public where their securities are not admitted to trading on a regulated market needs to be strengthened. The Central Bank of Ireland lacks the power to appoint administrators to investments firms in the event of financial difficulties within the firm.

May 26, 2014

Russian Federation: Fiscal Transparency Evaluation

Description: This paper discusses key findings of the pilot Fiscal Transparency Evaluation for the Russian Federation. Most aspects of Russia’s fiscal reporting and budgeting practices are in line with good or advanced practice under the July 2013 draft of the Fiscal Transparency Code. The disclosure and management of fiscal risks has significantly improved in recent years. The evaluation highlights a number of important areas where fiscal transparency practices could be further improved. Addressing these gaps in fiscal transparency practices would enable the government to provide a more complete picture of its fiscal position, prospects, and risks.

Notes: Also Available in Russian

May 23, 2014

Republic of Estonia: Technical Assistance Report-Revenue Administration Gap Analysis Program-The Value-Added Tax Gap

Description: This Technical Assistance Report discusses results of applying the Revenue Administration Gap Analysis Program Value-added Tax (VAT) gap estimation methodology to Estonia for 2007–2012. It highlights that between 2009 and 2012, VAT receipts failed to keep pace with nominal GDP and final consumption growth, owing to a growing compliance gap. Within the overall VAT compliance gap, the assessment gap in Estonia increased from 2009–2011, although the collections gap grew until 2009 and then decreased. The decrease of collections gap followed the introduction of automated management and sanctions of debt in 2010.

May 22, 2014

People’s Republic of China—Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Staff Report for the 2014 Article IV Consultation Discussions

Description: This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s (HKSAR) growth recovered to 2.9 percent in 2013 as resilient domestic demand helped offset the continued drag from net exports. As the global recovery takes hold, external demand is forecast to improve and lift growth to about 3¾ percent in 2014, although domestic demand remains solid. Inflation is expected to remain at about 4 percent, given the slow pass-through of housing costs. In line with the improved economic outlook, the 2014/15 budget includes a reduction in one-off measures of about 1.9 percent of GDP.

May 22, 2014

People’s Republic of China––Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Financial System Stability Assessment

Description: This Financial System Stability Assessment report on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) highlights that HKSAR’s financial sector is very well regulated, with the capacity to withstand a diversity of shocks. The sector, however, faces major risks, which puts a significant premium on effective liquidity management, macroprudential oversight, and microprudential supervision. The regulation and supervision framework of the financial sector is of a high caliber, and displays a high level of compliance with international standards, but there remains scope for further strengthening. Financial market infrastructures are highly sophisticated, but further enhancements are needed to fully comply with new international standards.

May 22, 2014

People’s Republic of China––Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes

Description: This paper discusses key findings of the Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). HKSAR has a very high level of compliance with the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) complements its high supervisory standards with a sustained commitment to the international regulatory reform agenda where it is an early adopter of many standards. The banking system is characterized by the dominant presence of institutions with foreign ownership, including the systemic banks, which puts a premium on the HKMA’s role as a host supervisory authority.