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Dorothy Nampewo
This paper develops a Financial Conditions Index (FCI) for Qatar and uses the Growth-at-Risk (GaR) framework to examine the impact of financial conditions on Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon growth. The analysis shows that the FCI is an important leading indicator of Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon growth, highlighting its predictive potential for future economic performance. The GaR framework suggests that overall, the current downside risks to Qatar’s baseline non-hydrocarbon growth projections are relatively mild.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
حققت سلطنة عُمان تحسنا ملحوظا في أساسيات اقتصادها. فقد تحسن مركز المالية العامة والمركز الخارجي تحسنا كبيرا، في حين يشهد النمو غير الهيدروكربوني انتعاشا في ظل انخفاض التضخم. كما زادت ثقة المستثمرين، مما يمهد الطريق لزيادة استثمارات القطاع الخاص. ويمكن لجهود لإصلاح المستمرة تعظيم المكاسب المتحققة من هذه الإنجازات، والمساعدة على تحقيق التحول الاقتصادي المستهدف على النحو الوارد في رؤية عُمان 2040.
Emine Hanedar
and
Zsuzsa Munkacsi
This gap-filling paper provides granular advice on how to design quantitative and structural conditionality of IMF-supported programs in six expenditure policy areas: social assistance, energy subsidies, pension spending, health spending, education spending, and wage bill management. Such granular advice is based on a stocktaking exercise: an analysis of 105 programs approved between 2002 and July 2021 containing a ca. 1400 conditions. Conditions are key to identify outcomes or actions seen as critical for program success or monitoring, and so are essential for financial support countries can receive from the Fund.
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Malta has experienced strong growth over the past decade, primarily driven by export-oriented service industries, such as tourism and online gaming. Although growth is expected to moderate, it will remain among Europe’s highest in the near term, along with tight labor markets. Inflation has fallen to around 2 percent, but some inflationary pressures remain in the service sector. Strong growth has been supported by an influx of foreign workers and tourists, leading to increased density and strain on infrastructure and public services. This has raised concerns about the sustainability of the labor-intensive growth model. The financial system has demonstrated resilience amid successive shocks.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Oman has achieved a remarkable improvement in its economic fundamentals. The fiscal and external positions have strengthened significantly, while nonhydrocarbon growth is picking up amid low inflation. Investor confidence has increased, paving the way for rising private sector investments. Sustained reform efforts would amplify gains from these accomplishments and help achieve the targeted economic transformation as set out under Oman Vision 2040.
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
The 2024 Article IV Consultation discusses Chad’s post-pandemic recovery picked up steam in 2023 with growth increasing to 4.9 percent. Economic growth is projected to decline to 3.1 percent in 2024 on account of the impact of the recent floods and a slight decline in oil production but would rebound in the medium term owing to sustained public investment and structural reforms. Risks to the outlook are substantial and tilted to the downside and include potential delays in implementing fiscal consolidation measures, a larger-than-expected decline in oil prices, an increase in the influx of Sudanese refugees, and a further increase in the frequency and severity of climate change-related events. Restructuring plans aimed at improving the operational and financial performance of the two systemic public banks while providing for their recapitalization need to be adopted and implemented expeditiously. Strengthening governance and anticorruption frameworks, together with measures to improve education, increase access to basic infrastructure, and promote formalization and financial inclusion, will be essential to create a favorable business environment.
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This Selected Issues paper reviews the impact of Chad’s procyclical fiscal policies on fiscal sustainability and macroeconomic outcomes and proposes a fiscal framework to anchor fiscal policy over the medium term. This framework combines a debt target aimed at ensuring that Chad’s risk of debt distress remains moderate and a financial asset floor to maximize its economic stabilization and shock insurance properties, while maintaining feasibility and flexibility to mobilize critical development spending. The proposed anchor could be monitored through a net debt target set at 28 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), to ensure that debt does not exceed a maximum threshold set at 42 percent of GDP even in the face of significant shocks, while the floor on liquid financial assets could be set at 5 percent of GDP. IMF propose a gradual convergence path—which balances prudence and mobilizing critical development spending—aimed at ensuring net debt remains at the target by 2029. The successful implementation of this framework will require accelerated progress on structural reforms and commitment from the Chadian authorities at the highest level.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
The 2024 Article IV Consultation with Kuwait discusses that the economy is projected to remain in recession under the baseline in 2024, then to recover over the medium term. The economy remains in recession, but a recovery has begun in the non-oil sector, and inflation is moderating. Lower oil prices and production have weakened the external and fiscal balances, while financial stability has been maintained. The risks around the outlook are skewed to the downside, but substantial financial buffers are a source of resilience to external shocks. Fiscal consolidation of about 13 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) should be implemented at a pace of 1 to 2 percent of GDP per year to reinforce intergenerational equity. The exchange rate peg remains an appropriate nominal anchor for monetary policy. Systemic financial risks remain contained and prudently managed. Continued efforts are needed to strengthen monetary policy transmission, maintain financial stability, and enhance financial intermediation. The authorities aim to implement reforms to support the transition to a dynamic and diversified economy. A comprehensive and well-sequenced structural reform package is needed to improve the business environment by raising efficiency, enhancing transparency, and further opening up the economy.
Mariza Montes de Oca Leon
,
Achim Hagen
, and
Franziska Holz
We study the impact of fossil fuel subsidy removal on presidential popularity using difference-indifference approaches and a stylized theoretical model. Analyzing macro level data for two subsidy removal events in Mexico and Bolivia in the early 2010s, we find evidence of a negative impact on presidential approval. Our theoretical probabilistic voting model predicts that the decline in popularity is driven by high income groups if subsidies are regressive, and that lack of trust in the government lowers popularity of the removal in all income groups. We confirm these predictions using micro level data for the Mexican subsidy removal event.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented economic transformation is progressing well. Strong domestic demand is keeping non-oil growth robust while unemployment is at record lows. Inflation is contained and the current account surplus is rapidly narrowing. The recalibration of the authorities’ investment plans would help reduce overheating risks and pressures on fiscal and external accounts.