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Upon taking office in December last year, Argentina's new government faced pervasive macroeconomic imbalances, microeconomic distortions, and a weakened institutional framework. These encompassed unsustainably high consumption levels, historically low levels of investment, and large fiscal deficits financed by money creation, which led to high inflation. Distortions at the micro level included an extensive network of administrative controls (for example, trade barriers, foreign exchange restrictions, and price controls) and a business environment that eroded competitiveness and undermined medium-term growth. There was also an important weakening of the institutional framework for economic policymaking, perhaps most evident in the loss of credibility of the national statistics agency.
2019 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Australia
2019 Article IV Consultation, Second Review Under the Extended Arrangement, Request for Completion of the Financing Assurances Review, and Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Releases; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Barbados
2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report
2018 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; Staff Statement; and Statement by the Executive Director for Cambodia
2019 Article IV consultation; Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Cambodia
Context. A strong policy framework has allowed Colombia to begin to adjust smoothly to the large decline in oil prices since mid-2014. The current account deficit, relative to GDP, widened to historical highs with the steep drop in oil exports. In 2015, macroeconomic policies were tightened to curb the growth in domestic demand and contain inflationary pressures arising from the sharp currency depreciation. A sound financial system and resilient corporate and household balance sheets have also contributed to the smooth adjustment. Real GDP growth slowed last year but still outperformed most countries in the region. The authorities are pressing ahead with their infrastructure program and a completion of the peace process is expected later this year. Outlook and risks. Colombia is facing another large terms of trade shock in 2016, together with tightening global financial conditions. Staff projects real growth to slow further to 2.5 percent in 2016 and gradually rise toward its potential of about 4 percent a year over the medium term, supported by the government's PPP-based infrastructure program and some gradual export diversification. Risks are mainly to the downside, stemming in part from large gross external financing needs, and include bouts of global financial volatility, a protracted period of slower growth in advanced and emerging economies and a further decline in oil prices.