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International Monetary Fund

This paper discusses Bulgaria’s prospects for converging to the living standards of the more advanced members of the European Union (EU). The unfavorable economic environment of the early 1990s and the economic crisis in 1996–97 hurt Bulgaria’s output, employment, and investment. Following the crisis, structural reforms and a sound macroeconomic framework set the stage for a sustained recovery. The structure of the Bulgaria economy has shifted markedly over the last decade, and investment has become the main engine of growth.

International Monetary Fund

This paper reviews macroeconomic developments in the Greek economy in 1995 and early 1996. During that period, the economic recovery gathered strength, driven by a strong pick-up in domestic investment. Although the recovery led to a moderate increase in employment, it did not prevent an increase in the unemployment rate. Inflation continued to decelerate gradually through 1995, but picked up somewhat in the early months of 1996 reflecting in part one-off exogenous factors. These macroeconomic developments, as well as key structural measures adopted in 1995 and early 1996, are described in detail in this paper.

International Monetary Fund

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that Italy’s economy is enjoying a broad-based, if comparatively modest, cyclical upswing. Output is estimated to have grown by 1¾ percent in 2006—the strongest pace since the beginning of the decade. Inflation is close to that of the euro area, financial conditions are favorable, unemployment is falling, and the current account deficit is moderate. Some progress has been made on broad-based structural reform. Recent initiatives in labor contracting envision a partial rollback of earlier liberalizing reforms.

International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
The fragile security environment has improved following the attempt by armed groups to seize power at the turn of the year 2021. The reopening of the Douala-Bangui corridor reinvigorated activity and curbed inflationary pressures. The third Covid-19 wave is receding, but vaccination has been slow. President Touadéra has launched the Republican dialogue peace initiative alongside the Luanda Road Map spearheaded by neighboring countries. The surrender of a key rebel leader to the International Criminal Court represents a key step in the peace process. Donors have delayed disbursing budget support pending greater transparency in the government’s security-related spending. This poses substantial fiscal and social risks given the heavy reliance on budget support. The sharp deterioration in terms of trade, reflecting food and fuel price shocks, compounded by geo-political spillovers, will exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and further erode policy space.
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
The fragile security environment has improved following the attempt by armed groups to seize power at the turn of the year 2021. The reopening of the Douala-Bangui corridor reinvigorated activity and curbed inflationary pressures. The third Covid-19 wave is receding, but vaccination has been slow. President Touadéra has launched the Republican dialogue peace initiative alongside the Luanda Road Map spearheaded by neighboring countries. The surrender of a key rebel leader to the International Criminal Court represents a key step in the peace process. Donors have delayed disbursing budget support pending greater transparency in the government’s security-related spending. This poses substantial fiscal and social risks given the heavy reliance on budget support. The sharp deterioration in terms of trade, reflecting food and fuel price shocks, compounded by geo-political spillovers, will exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and further erode policy space.
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
This 2021 Article IV Consultation determines that Kosovo’s people and its economy experienced a return to a certain degree of normality in 2021. Increased vaccination rates allowed a relaxation of stringency measures, supported mobility, and created the conditions for a resumption of diaspora travel. The fiscal response to the pandemic has been broadly adequate. Moreover, fiscal policy needs to return to a supportive stance in 2022. Focus, composition, and transparency of public spending needs strengthening including supporting economic resilience. While the objective to intensify vaccinations is both appropriate and commendable, intended policy actions under the “Economic Revival Program” need to be better defined, new social transfer programs should be more targeted, and the growth of existing transfers needs to be contained. Kosovo’s intentions to reduce carbon emissions are commendable. A credible climate and environment mitigation strategy should be centered around carbon pricing, while allocating its proceeds to investment in green projects and to mitigate the impact of higher energy prices on vulnerable households.
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This paper highlights Kenya’s Third Reviews under the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility and under the Arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility, Requests for Modification of Quantitative Performance Criteria, and Waiver of Applicability for Performance Criteria. A strong recovery is underway, although global shocks due to spillovers from the war in Ukraine are creating new spending needs and adding to inflation pressures through rising global fuel, fertilizer, and food prices. Kenya’s program is delivering resilience by helping the country navigate these global shocks while still meeting the authorities’ targets and continuing to make progress in addressing debt vulnerabilities. Strong fiscal performance is providing a welcome resilience. Although the authorities are adjusting domestic fuel prices to international levels more gradually, program targets are still being met thanks to strong tax revenues. Maintaining the momentum in the authorities’ structural reform agenda is critical. Building on the ongoing efforts to improve the oversight of state-owned enterprises, it is essential to advance the restructuring of Kenya Airways and restore the long-term viability of Kenya Power and Lighting Company.
International Monetary Fund. Fiscal Affairs Dept.
Reflecting an ongoing commitment to enhancing fiscal transparency, Maldives is the first small island state, and the second country in Asia, to have undertaken a Fiscal Transparency Evaluation (FTE). The Government of the Maldives (GoM) recognizes the importance of transparency in fiscal management and in delivering on its ambitious policy agenda, while responding to current challenges within a tight fiscal environment. This report assesses fiscal transparency practices in Maldives against the first three pillars of the IMF’s Fiscal Transparency Code (FTC).
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This paper focuses on Senegal’s Sixth Review under the Policy Coordination Instrument and Third Reviews under the Stand-By Arrangement and the Arrangement under the Standby Credit Facility. Weaker external demand, rising food and energy prices, tightening financial conditions, and the US dollar appreciation have negatively impacted the Senegalese economy. Moreover, multiple challenges are facing the country, including heightened regional insecurity and growing social demands amid soaring cost of living. Program performance was broadly satisfactory. All end-June 2022 performance criteria and two out of three indicative targets were met. Three out of nine structural benchmarks were implemented on time. Revenue collection through end-September was stronger than expected but soaring energy subsidies led the government to delay some investment projects. Spending pressures are mounting in 2023, making the much-needed fiscal consolidation more difficult. The authorities and staff agreed on a revised 2022 budget that maintains the fiscal deficit at 6.2 percent of gross domestic product, in line with the previous program review, through additional revenue measures and savings to offset larger energy subsidies.