Country Reports
2013
August 29, 2013
India: Financial Sector Assessment Program—Detailed Assessments Report on CPSS IOSCO Recommendations for Securities Settlement Systems and Central Counterparties
Description: This paper discusses findings of the assessments on Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems–International Organization of Securities Commissions (CPSS-IOSCO) Recommendations for Securities Settlement Systems and Central Counterparties in India. The results indicate that, in general, the risk management framework for the securities and derivatives clearing and settlement systems in India is prudent. The operational reliability is high, and the regulation and oversight functions are effective. The National Payments System in India has undergone a major reform, in particular the securities and derivatives clearing and settlement systems. These systems are comprehensive and designed to minimize risks in the rapidly developing securities and derivatives markets.
August 29, 2013
India: Financial Sector Assessment Program—Detailed Assessments Report on IAIS Insurance Core Principles
Description: This paper discusses key findings of the assessment of India’s compliance with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors Insurance Core Principles (ICP). Indian Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has so far decided that India is not yet ready for a full transition to cutting-edge international approaches owing to informational and skills shortages and a continuing lack of international consensus. Certain prudential ICPs come under this heading, and IRDA will need to augment its resources in its core supervisory departments if it is to introduce a rigorous corrective action and enforcement regime built on a risk-based approach to the capital and operational management of insurers.
August 28, 2013
Republic of Moldova: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper-Joint Staff Advisory Note
Description: This Joint Staff Advisory Note focuses on Republic Of Moldova’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and National Development Strategy (NDS). The NDS unifies in one document the government’s poverty reduction strategy and development vision. The NDS argues that Moldova needs to add productivity-enhancing investment and exports as growth drivers to its traditional consumption-based growth model. The strong pace of growth observed in the mid-2000s was driven by domestic consumption fuelled by remittances. The NDS calls for a shift from the current consumption-based growth model toward one based on raising investments, increasing productivity and competitiveness, developing export industries, and promoting a knowledge-based society.
August 28, 2013
Montenegro: 2013 Article IV Consultation
Description: This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that Montenegro’s recovery from the collapse of the lending boom in 2008 has been slowed by the debt overhang that remains in the private sector. Output contracted in 2012 because of unusually severe winter weather early in the year, as well as a sharp decline in aluminum production as the financial position of the troubled aluminum company (KAP) continued to worsen. Activity picked up in early 2013 as more favorable weather conditions resulted in a sharp increase in hydro-based electricity production. A sustained, multi-year fiscal consolidation effort is needed to reduce the public debt burden to an appropriately low level in the medium term.
August 28, 2013
Republic of Moldova: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
Description: This paper discusses the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and National Development Strategy (NDS) for the Republic of Moldova. The NDS “Moldova 2020” presents a vision of cohesive long-term sustainable economic development based on a diagnostic study of constraints to economic development. Areas such as health, culture, social protection, and environmental protection are crucial for the country’s sustainable development. The focus of the NDS is to increase the budget coverage of adequate policies in these sectors as a result of accelerated economic development. Such a focus also requires the sustainability of foreign assistance currently provided to the country.
August 26, 2013
Georgia: 2013 Article IV Consultation
Description: This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that Georgia’s real GDP growth averaged 6½ percent in 2011–2012, about 1½ percentage points more than projected at the 2011 Article IV consultation. Inflation has declined steadily, reflecting lower food prices, lagged effects of exchange rate appreciation, and cuts in administered energy prices. The exchange rate has faced appreciation pressures, but has been kept stable against the U.S. dollar. However, the economy has slowed down markedly since mid-2012, and unemployment remains high at 15 percent. Despite the slowdown, growth could still reach 4 percent in 2013, rising to about 6 percent in 2014 and beyond.
August 20, 2013
German-Central European Supply Chain-Cluster Report: Staff Report, First Background Note, Second Background Note, Third Background Note
Description: This paper discusses key findings of the Cluster Report on German-Central European Supply Chain (GCESC). Since the 1990s, a GCESC has evolved, manufacturing goods for export to the rest of the world. Reflecting this, bilateral trade linkages between Germany and the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Slovak Republic (CE4) have expanded rapidly. Participation in the GCESC has led to technology transfers to CE4 countries and accelerated income convergence. Export growth in knowledge-intensive sectors has been particularly rapid in the CE4. It is also observed that complementarities between supply chain activities and domestic production have led to greater synchronization of the business cycle among GCESC countries.
August 15, 2013
Haiti: Sixth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, and Request for Extension of the Arrangement and Rephasing of Disbursements
Description: This paper discusses Haiti’s Sixth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, and Request for Extension of the Arrangement and Rephasing of Disbursements. Growth continued to be modest, due largely to long-standing frail capacity, weather-related shocks, and structural weaknesses. Inflation remained in the mid-single digits and international reserves at about six months of imports. Fiscal performance during the first half of the year was weaker than budgeted, mostly on account of lower revenue collection. Program implementation is broadly satisfactory. The authorities met all end-March 2013 performance criteria, but missed two indicative targets.
August 15, 2013
Republic of Poland: Technical Note on Stress Testing the Banking Sector
Description: This Technical Note discusses results of stress testing of the banking sector in Poland. The Polish banking system is well capitalized and liquid, as confirmed by stress tests results. Polish banks are, in aggregate, resilient even under severe adverse scenarios. Some small banks could fail to meet minimum regulatory capital and liquidity requirements in these scenarios, but with little impact on the overall banking system. Tests showed that only small banks, together representing up to 30 percent of the assets in the system, may have problems meeting the Basel III capital requirements in the recession scenarios.
August 15, 2013
Slovak Republic: 2013 Article IV Consultation
Description: This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that following a sharp downturn in 2009 in the context of the global economic and financial crisis, Slovakia emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union, supported in particular by substantial foreign investment in the auto sector and subsequent exports. Growth slowed to 2 percent in 2012 as the impact of exceptionally large investments in 2011 faded. Inflation fell to 1.6 percent in June 2013, and record trade and current account surpluses were recorded in 2012. For 2013, the growth forecast is 0.6 percent, reflecting especially the weakening external environment.