Public Information Notice No. 12/14

Public Information Notice: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2011 Article IV Consultation with the Central African Republic

February 9, 2012

On January 30, 2012, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with the Central African Republic (C.A.R.).¹

Background

Since the conclusion of the last Article IV consultation in December 2009, the C.A.R. continued to grapple with the challenges of a fragile post-conflict state. Macroeconomic performance over the past few years has been broadly satisfactory but growth remained modest and well below the averages for sub-Saharan Africa and other fragile states. Insufficient domestic and external resources, deep-rooted structural deficiencies, weak institutional capacity, and a poor business environment are enduring factors holding back economic take-off. The economy is highly dependent on external assistance, poverty is pervasive, and social indicators are generally weak.

In 2010–11, real gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaged 3.2 percent, thanks mainly to rebounding agricultural production, which helped to bring down inflation to less than 1 percent by end-2011. Growth in 2011 was slightly weaker than forecast because the expected post-election recovery of domestic demand did not materialize and uncertainties delayed major investments in the mining sector and oil exploration. However, the prospects for 2012 are favorable, predicated on continued good performance of the primary sector, particularly agriculture and forestry activities, and the resumption of delayed investments in the mining sector. But risks to this outlook are on the downside, as domestic and global uncertainties continue to weigh on the C.A.R. economy.

The fiscal position deteriorated sharply in 2010 with payment arrears accumulated to domestic and external creditors, reversing hard-won gains under the program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). Also, lack of transparency and due process in budget execution led to serious governance concerns and the suspension of budget support by donors. Though domestic revenue benefitted from a number of one-off effects to reach 11.6 percent of GDP, expenditures surged, fueled by election-related spending, sending the overall budget deficit, excluding grants, to 7.7 percent of GDP. A tight liquidity situation in 2011, mainly resulting from donors suspending budget support, prompted the authorities to curtail expenditures, which resulted in a decline of the overall deficit by 1.2 percentage points of GDP. The fiscal position is projected to improve further in 2012 on strengthened expenditure control and revenue measures adopted together with the 2012 budget.

Following a slowdown during the period leading to the elections, the C.A.R. authorities have recently stepped up implementation of structural measures, including strengthening budget execution and the monitoring capacity of macroeconomic developments, and improving the operations of state-owned enterprises and key public agencies.

Executive Board Assessment

Executive Directors welcomed the resilience of the economy of the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) in the face of the global crisis. While the short term outlook is favorable, C.A.R. faces significant challenges as a fragile state to enhance medium term growth prospects and reduce poverty. Directors stressed the importance of strengthening budget execution, addressing structural and infrastructural bottlenecks, and building capacity, along with improved security and political stability.

Directors regretted the fiscal slippages and underlying governance issues in 2010 and early 2011. They welcomed the measures taken to restore budget discipline and enhance transparency in the use of public funds and called for their steadfast implementation. They encouraged the authorities to redouble their efforts to strengthen public financial management, increase domestic resource mobilization, prioritize spending, and enhance donor coordination to better leverage Technical Assistance resources. Directors welcomed the recent adjustment in domestic petroleum prices. They stressed the importance of regular adjustments to ensure full pass through of international prices and safeguard fiscal resources for priority investments, along with measures to protect the poor.

Directors welcomed the second generation Poverty Reduction and Strategy Paper (PRSP). It lays out a comprehensive reform strategy to help mobilize donor assistance to build capacity, boost investment in physical infrastructure and social programs, and make progress towards the Millennium Developments Goals.

Directors noted that formidable challenges remain to improve competitiveness and develop the private sector. They encouraged the authorities to persevere in their efforts to address the structural weaknesses confronting the economy, improve the business climate, enhance the delivery of public services, and deepen financial intermediation. Directors welcomed the recapitalization of commercial banks, and encouraged the authorities to step up their efforts to divest their majority stake in the ailing bank.

Directors regretted the accumulation of external payment arrears, including to Paris Club and multilateral creditors, and urged the authorities to settle these arrears as soon as possible. They encouraged the authorities to strengthen public debt management and avoid contracting nonconcessional loans, including expensive domestic bank financing, to preserve debt sustainability. They supported the authorities’ continued efforts in seeking debt relief from all bilateral and commercial creditors on terms consistent with the HIPC/MDRI Initiatives.

Directors stressed the importance of adequate macroeconomic data and encouraged the authorities to strengthen the statistical agency.

Directors considered that a new Fund arrangement could help solidify macroeconomic stabilization and support the authorities’ reform agenda. They stressed that strong ownership and commitment, including strengthened budget execution and governance, will be key.