Country Reports
2013
September 27, 2013
Italy: Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper presents Italy’s economic growth through innovation and reforms. It highlights that Italy’s future competitiveness depends on the institutional and macroeconomic conditions that allow productive firms to innovate, expand, and attract inward foreign direct investment (FDI) that in turn will require the successful implementation of the authorities’ full structural- and institutional-reform agenda. The IMF report focuses on the enforcement of civil and commercial claims in Italy as a key way to improve the environment for sustaining economic growth. There has been considerable interest in the possibility of introducing a comprehensive wealth tax in Italy, reflecting the public resistance to spending-only austerity.
September 23, 2013
Botswana: 2013 Article IV Consultation
Description: This paper discusses 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights slower economic performance and financial risks in Botswana. The output growth is expected to remain broadly unchanged in 2013 as strong nonmining sector growth would offset the subdued mining output. Banks’ high exposure to households and the acceleration in the growth of unsecured lending are, however, potential vulnerabilities. The authorities are advised to continue to bolster their surveillance capacity to monitor financial sector developments and consider implementing macroprudential measures to temper the rate of growth of household borrowing.
September 23, 2013
Mali: Technical Assistance Report
Description: This Technical Assistance Report for Mali examines the performance of its public expenditure management system. The IMF report suggests that payments arrears can possibly be monitored overtime through the financial management system (PRED), based on the validation of invoices. The principle of requiring funds to be deposited in the Treasury must be clearly reinstated and observed. It recommends that agencies benefiting largely from subsidies or direct public financing should transfer funds in order of priority. Stock and assets accounting is being gradually implemented and rolled out as planned, with new software being currently deployed for line departments’ managers.
Notes: Also available in French
September 23, 2013
Botswana: 2013 Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper examines fiscal policy implications for labor market and economic diversification in Botswana. The IMF report analyzes that large public employment significantly affect labor market outcomes in middle-income countries, including Botswana. It is noted that reforms aimed at reducing the rents and the size of the public sector is likely to significantly improve market outcomes in Botswana. As part of efforts to find new engines of growth and support sustainable long-term and broad-based growth, Botswana has over the years also vigorously pursued policies to diversify the economy.
September 20, 2013
Cape Verde, Namibia, and Kingdom of Swaziland: Selected Issues Paper on the Challenges of Small Middle-Income Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Description: This Selected Issues paper focuses on the challenges of small middle-income countries (MIC) in sSub-Saharan Africa (SSA) comprising Cape Verde, Namibia, and the Kingdom of Swaziland. The IMF report summarizes the analytic underpinnings that support the IMF staff’s advice on policies to strengthen macroeconomic stability, foster more inclusive growth, and enhance the resilience of their financial systems. It recommends that macroeconomic policies should aim to rebuild policy buffers to help cushion against large external shocks especially given the prevalence of pegged exchange rate regimes in these economies.
September 20, 2013
Kingdom of Lesotho: Sixth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility
Description: This paper highlights the Kingdom of Lesotho’s Sixth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility. Lesotho has maintained robust economic growth, with moderate inflation. The IMF report shows that economic growth is expected to exceed 4 percent, supported by a recovery in agricultural production, enhanced construction, and mining sector expansion. The reconciliation of treasury accounts has been delayed, largely owing to insufficient collaboration between the treasury and budgetary agencies. To address the problem, the Ministry of Finance issued a circular in June 2013 to enforce reconciliation reporting by all such agencies.
September 19, 2013
Republic of Kazakhstan: 2013 Article IV Consultation
Description: This paper analyzes the Republic of Kazakhstan’s 2013 Article of Consultation. The IMF report focuses on vision of developing Kazakhstan into a leading emerging market economy requires concerted efforts to strengthen the policy architecture. It highlights the importance of enhancing the diversification strategy by strengthening institutions, the business environment, and human capital, while carefully managing the country’s oil wealth. It also discusses that the unification of the pension funds has become a policy priority. The medium-term growth prospects appear to be strong, driven by a substantial projected increase in oil output.
September 19, 2013
Republic of Kazakhstan: Selected Issues
Description: This Selected Issues paper presents an assessment of leveraging oil wealth for development in Kazakhstan. By saving most of the tax revenues collected from the oil sector in an off-budget oil fund Kazakhstan has been relatively successful in ensuring that government revenue volatility does not translate into spending volatility. The quasifiscal sector, that includes public enterprises in the oil and gas industry, is systemic in Kazakhstan. During the crisis the quasifiscal sector played an important role in the government’s stimulus program while currently it is actively involved in the country’s long- term development strategy.
September 18, 2013
Burundi: Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria—Staff Report; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Burundi
Description: This paper analyzes Burundi’s Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria. Policy discussions in the program focus on measures to strengthen fiscal performance, which have been reflected in a revised 2013 budget, bolstering public financial and debt management. The report highlights that the macroeconomic outlook remains difficult, compounded by downside risks related to uncertainties in the external economic environment. Also, the need to preserve debt sustainability continues to anchor medium-term fiscal policy.
Notes: Also available in French
September 18, 2013
The Gambia: Staff Report for the 2013 Article IV Consultation; Informational Annex; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for The Gambia
Description: This IMF Staff Report for the 2013 Article IV Consultation presents economic development and policies of Tthe Gambia. The IMF report shows that Tthe Gambia’s economy is picking up slowly from the past drought conditions. The Gambian Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE) emphasizes fiscal adjustment, together with infrastructure investment and structural reforms to support inclusive growth. Fiscal adjustment is needed to ease the heavy debt burden, arising mainly from domestic debt. Execution of the PAGE, supported by commitments from development partners, would help reduce poverty, especially in rural areas, given a strong focus on agriculture.