Country Reports
2014
April 15, 2014
Malaysia: Financial Sector Assessment Program Financial Sector Performance, Vulnerabilities and Derivatives-Technical Note
Description: This Technical Note focuses on financial sector performance, vulnerabilities, and derivatives in Malaysia. The note highlights that banking sector has undergone consolidation while competition has increased following measures implemented under the Financial Sector Master Plan 2001–2010. Malaysian banks are presently well capitalized with comfortable Tier 1 capital ratios. Stronger financial positions and risk management capability have enabled domestic banking groups to pursue overseas expansions, mostly within the region. The importance to some banks of overseas assets and earnings is reaching levels which, based on international experience, warrant a review of internal controls.
April 15, 2014
Malaysia: Financial Sector Assessment Program Monetary Liquidity Frameworks-Technical Note
Description: This technical note on Monetary Liquidity Frameworks on Malaysia’s inflation analyzes that it has returned to a more stable path, after some wider fluctuations before and during the global financial crisis. On the liability side, Malaysian banks’ liquidity is based largely on deposits. The increase in foreign reserves at the Central Bank is a major driver of the growth of the Bank Negara Malaysia’s balance sheet. Monetary operations with Islamic banks are carried out through specific Shariah-compliant instruments.
April 15, 2014
Malaysia: Financial Sector Assessment Program Stress Testing the Malaysian and Labuan IBFC Banking Sectors-Technical Note
Description: This paper summarizes the stress tests (ST) undertaken for the Malaysian banking system as part of the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP). All banks were subject to solvency, liquidity and contagion tests in the macroeconomic stress testing set-up. The solvency tests assessed the resilience of the Malaysian banking system under three macroeconomic scenarios from 2012 to 2016. Single year bottom up (BU) sensitivity tests for Malaysian banks covered various single-factor credit and market risk shocks. A multi-factor BU sensitivity liquidity test was also carried out by participating banks and extended to not only key onshore banks but covered some Labuan entities and overseas subsidiaries. The findings suggest that the onshore banking system in Malaysia has substantial capital buffers to absorb credit losses on its credit risk exposures. Conventional banks can benefit from buffers provided by significant income as a first line of defense against credit losses. Some larger domestic banks benefit from income in terms of strong revenues from domestic operations as well as potential income from overseas operations.
April 4, 2014
Islamic Republic of Iran: Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper on Iran focuses on the Targeted Subsidy Reform Law (TSRL). This is the basic law governing the implementation of the subsidy reform in Iran. The TSRL envisaged bringing subsidized prices close to international levels over a five-year period. The paper reviews the implementation of the first phase of the subsidy reform, with a particular emphasis on macroeconomic management. The sharp depreciation of the exchange rate and high inflation significantly undermined progress under the reform. High inflation partially reversed the relative price change under the reform.
April 4, 2014
Islamic Republic of Iran: Staff Report for the 2014 Article IV Consultation
Description: This staff report for the 2014 Article IV Consultation on the Islamic Republic of Iran focuses on economic developments and policies. The IMF report had achieved considerable progress in raising per capita income and living standards. Large shocks and weak macroeconomic management have had a significant impact on macroeconomic stability and growth. The external environment remains uncertain and delaying domestic reforms raise the risk of entrenching the economy in a low-growth and high-inflation scenario, underscoring the need to address long-standing weaknesses in the policy framework and the economy.
April 1, 2014
Romania: Ex Post Evaluation of Exceptional Access Under the 2011 Stand-By Arrangement
Description: This 2004 Article IV Consultation on Romania highlights commendable progress under its home-grown IMF-supported program. Economic activity is picking up after a four-year slump, inflation remains low, the financial sector is stable, and the fiscal and external positions are improving. The 2014 budget aims to protect the gains under the program, continue the downward debt-to-GDP trajectory, and advance the reform agenda. Debt has fallen considerably owing to completion of a large part of the debt-land swap, but remains high. The authorities have taken welcome steps to strengthen the nonbank financial institutions supervisory framework.
April 1, 2014
Romania: First and Second Reviews Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Requests for Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion, Modification of Program conditionality, and Rephasing of the Availability Dates of Purchases
Description: This first and second reviews under the Stand-By-Arrangement analyzes Ex Post Evaluation of exceptional access for Romania. Efforts are needed to strengthen monetary policy transmission. The banking system remains well capitalized, but the authorities need to accelerate the resolution of nonperforming loans and closely monitor risks from parent bank deleveraging. The Romanian authorities continue their efforts to reach the goals of a broad structural agenda, with a focus on structural reforms in the energy, transport and healthcare sectors, and continue the reform of the state-owned enterprises.
April 1, 2014
Cyprus: Third Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria—Staff Report-press Release; and Statement by the Executive Director
Description: Cyprus’s Third Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility focuses on strong ownership and implementation of its program. Despite the difficult environment in which the authorities operate, the political commitment remains strong while every effort is being made to maintain strong social cohesion. Steadfast implementation has produced tangible results with indications that the healing process is already under way. Although a difficult adjustment is still ahead, with the guidance of EU and IMF staff, Cyprus has placed itself in a good position to continue along the agreed path.
March 31, 2014
Republic of Armenia: Request for Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility
Description: This paper discusses Armenia’s Request for Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Performance under the 2010–2013 program, which was supported by arrangements under the EFF and Extended Credit Facility (ECF), was sound, with growth restored, large fiscal and external imbalances reduced, and buffers rebuilt. However, challenges remain, particularly in further reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening medium-term growth dynamics. Fiscal policy will support the growth recovery in 2014 by providing a modest stimulus, before moving to a gradual consolidation stance in 2015–2017. The IMF Staff supports the authorities’ request for an IMF-supported program.
March 28, 2014
Myanmar: Second Review Under the Staff-Monitored Program
Description: This paper reviews Myanmar’s Second Review Under the Staff-Monitored Program IMF staff report. The IMF report highlights that the authorities are pursuing a wide range of economic reform program against a background of political liberalization. Growth has strengthened led by services. However, international reserves remain low, and inflation pressures are significant. It suggests that fiscal policy needs to continue balancing stability with development, while administrative reforms to boost revenue and public financial management need to be driven forward.