Asia and Pacific > Kiribati

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International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
The 2023 Article IV Consultation with Kiribati discusses that the recovery is expected to gain momentum in 2023. Real gross domestic product growth is projected at 2.5 percent in 2023, as economic activities return to a more normal state with the resumption of large infrastructure projects and improved weather conditions. The authorities’ strategy to boost export competitiveness and promote private sector development is encouraging and needs to be further augmented with robust structural reforms. Continued efforts to build statistical capacity will facilitate data-based policymaking. The authorities need to strengthen institutional capacity to produce high-quality national accounts, government finance statistics, and financial sector data in a timely manner to support sound economic management. It is encouraging that the authorities plan to implement the IMF’s Enhanced General Data Dissemination System by publishing economic data on a National Summary Data Page, which will help improve the availability of timely statistics.
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
The Selected Issues paper focuses on climate change in Kiribati. This note summarizes the main ways in which climate change may negatively affect the economy of Kiribati. It then shows how Kiribati may cope with these negative effects by implementing adaptation projects, as well as by contributing to global mitigation efforts. Finally, the note describes some issues related to climate finance and how authorities of Kiribati may direct their efforts in the most productive way to ensure that climate-related projects obtain the proper financial backing and are carried out to fruition in a timely fashion. Leveraging climate finance effectively is critical to ensure Kiribati implements climate projects. Introducing renewable energy is one of the most effective ways to achieve emissions reductions for Kiribati. Besides renewable energy, other non-price-based instruments can be deployed for climate mitigation. Above all, international cooperation is crucial to help Kiribati overcome climate threats. The impact of climate change is far beyond the ability of any countries to cope with it alone, not to mention small atoll islands like Kiribati.
International Monetary Fund
This paper presents a Management Implementation Plan (MIP) with actions to take forward the Board-endorsed recommendations from the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)’s report on IMF Engagement with Small Developing States (SDS). The actions in the MIP are broad in scope, touching on all modalities of the Fund’s engagement with SDS, and seek to be comprehensive, self-reinforcing, cost-effective, and designed to be adopted as a package. The MIP aims to support a targeted and effective recalibration of engagement with SDS; enhance IMF’s surveillance and capacity development in SDS members; strengthen the Fund’s lending engagement with SDS, in line with the applicable policy frameworks; and secure an effective, well-tailored and more continuous staff presence in SDS.
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Growth has been strong in recent years and some moderation is expected, with risks skewed to the downside. High fishing revenues improved the fiscal position, but generated pressure to increase spending. There has been progress on fiscal and structural reforms. Yet, public spending needs are large, driven by an infrastructure gap and climate adaptation costs, and the country remains at high risk of debt distress.
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
This 2016 Article IV Consultation highlights that Kiribati’s recent economic performance has been strong. Growth is estimated to have reached 3.5 percent in 2015, supported by record-high fishing revenue, donor-financed infrastructure projects, and reconstruction in the aftermath of cyclone Pam. The fiscal position has improved markedly in recent years. High fishing revenue contributed to a recurrent fiscal balance of almost 50 percent of GDP in 2015, more than offsetting the increase in recurrent government spending of 13 percent. Growth is projected to moderate somewhat to about 3 percent in 2016, while inflation remains subdued owing to low food and commodity prices.
Ms. Shari Boyce
,
Mr. Sergei Dodzin
,
Mr. Xuefei Bai
,
Ezequiel Cabezon
,
Mr. Fazurin Jamaludin
,
Mr. Yiqun Wu
, and
Ms. Rosanne Heller

Abstract

The work on the small states is an important component of the IMF’s global policy agenda. Among the 36 member countries covered by the IMF Asia and Pacific Department (APD), 13 countries are developing small states—most of which are Pacific islands. As part of APD’s ongoing effort to increase its engagement with regional small states and their development partners and enhance information sharing within the IMF, this issue marks the launch of the APD Small States Monitor, a quarterly bulletin featuring the latest economic developments, country notes from the most recent Article IV staff reports, special topics, past and upcoming events, and forthcoming IMF research on small states. In future issues, we will also host contributions from the authorities of small states and their development partners on key policy topics. Our goal is to exchange knowledge and deepen our understanding of the policy challenges these economies face to better tailor our policy advice.

International Monetary Fund
This note highlights the unique economic characteristics and constraints facing small developing states. It provides operational guidance on Fund engagement with such countries, including on how small country size might influence the use of Fund facilities and instruments, program design, capacity building activities, and collaboration with other institutions and donors. The guidance note draws on the March 2013 Board papers on small states and the associated Executive Board discussion. The findings of the paper and implications for Fund engagement with small states were presented to small states authorities during the 2013 Annual Meetings, as well as in regional IMF conferences with small states in the Bahamas (September 2013) and Vanuatu (November 2013). Series
Ms. Patrizia Tumbarello
,
Ezequiel Cabezon
, and
Mr. Yiqun Wu
The small states of the Asia and Pacific region face unique challenges in raising their growth potential and living standards relative to other small states due to their small populations, geographical isolation and dispersion, narrow export and production bases, exposure to shocks, and heavy reliance on aid. Higher fixed government costs, low access to credit by the private sector, and capacity constraints are also key challenges. The econometric analysis confirms that the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have underperformed relative to their peers over the last 20 years. Although these countries often face more limited policy tools, policies do matter and can further help build resilience and raise potential growth, as evidenced in the recent business cycle. The Asia and Pacific small states should continue rebuilding buffers and improve the composition of public spending in order to foster inclusive growth. Regional solutions should also continue to be pursued.
International Monetary Fund
The staff report highlights that the economy of Kiribati showed resilience from the global crisis owing to infrastructure projects financed by foreign assistance. Executive Directors stressed the importance of preserving real per capita value of the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund to ensure fiscal sustainability and intergenerational fairness. They appreciated the multiyear budget framework, which helped in designing realistic fiscal plans. Directors noted the joint IMF-World Bank debt sustainability analysis and encouraged authorities to secure grant financing to support the country’s development needs.
International Monetary Fund
This Selected Issues paper focuses on recent developments with Kiribati’s Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF). The paper also examines fiscal aspects of climate change, and considers options for improving fishing license fees, which remain an important source of revenue. It also analyzes recent developments and the outlook for remittances to Kiribati, which is another important source of external revenue and brings important economic benefits, such as reducing poverty and stabilizing national income.