Departmental Papers

Central America: Economic Progress and Reforms

By Dominique Desruelle, Alfred Schipke

November 24, 2008

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Dominique Desruelle, and Alfred Schipke. Central America: Economic Progress and Reforms, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2008) accessed December 21, 2024

Also available in: español

Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

Central America has made substantial progress in recent years in moving economic reforms forward and deepening regional and global integration. As result of these efforts, the region has experienced higher growth, increased capital inflows, and some reductions in poverty rates. But Central America remains vulnerable to adverse shocks and continues to face widespread poverty. While today Central America is in better condition to face such shocks, the current turmoil in global financial markets and U.S. growth slowdown could put at risk the hard-won gains of recent years. Faced with these challenges, the authorities are monitoring developments closely and are taking precautionary measures, but they also need to continue implementing productivity-enhancing reforms and measures aimed at reducing income inequality and poverty.

Subject: Customs unions, Financial institutions, Financial markets, Fiscal policy, Income, International trade, National accounts, Securities, Stock markets

Keywords: Baltics, Caribbean, Central America, Customs union, Customs unions, DP, DPPP, Europe, Financial market, Gini coefficient, Global, Gross domestic product, Income, Net importer, Securities, Stock markets, Tax burden, Value-added tax

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    210

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Departmental Paper No. 2008/003

  • Stock No:

    CAEPEA

  • ISBN:

    9781589067653

  • ISSN:

    2616-5333

Notes

Full text also available in Spanish.