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Europe > Latvia, Republic of

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Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Nordic-Baltic Regional Report: Technical Assistance Report-Nordic-Baltic Technical Assistance Project Financial Flows Analysis, AML/CFT Supervision, and Financial Stability
International Monetary Fund. Legal Dept.
This paper presents a regional report on Nordic-Baltic technical assistance project: financial flows analysis, Anti-Money Laundering and combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Supervision, and Financial Stability. The purpose of the project is to conduct an analysis of cross-border ML threats and vulnerabilities in the Nordic-Baltic region—encompassing Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden (the Nordic-Baltic Constituency or NBC)—and issue a final report containing recommendations for mitigating the potential risks. The financial flows analysis presented in this report is based on the IMF staff’s analysis of cross-border payments data. Six out of the eight Nordic-Baltic countries have seen an increase in aggregate flows since 2013. Monitoring cross-border financial flows provides countries with a deeper understanding of their external ML threat environment and evolving cross-border related risks they are facing. Leveraging broader analysis of ML/TF cross-border risk, the Nordic-Baltic countries should develop their own understanding of higher-risk countries reflecting country-specific ML/TF threats.
Keywords:
TF risk assessment; colleges participation; TF risk; EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority; supervisory cooperation; information Sharin; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Virtual currencies; Correspondent banking; Internal controls; Financial sector stability; Baltics; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of Lithuania: Selected Issues
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
This Selected Issues paper on the Republic of Lithuania takes stock of policies and reforms countries are implementing to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Within Europe, the Baltic Sea basin is particularly vulnerable to global warming caused by climate change. Fiscal policy measures, including a carbon tax on fossil fuels, are the most efficient tool for climate change mitigation. Well-designed policies and structural reforms would help reduce CO2 emissions and strengthen energy security. Baltic countries must also mainstream adaptation into development plans to strengthen resilience against climate change. Long-term climate risks demand decisive action to strengthen physical, financial, institutional, and social resilience. While a variety of adaptation measures have been introduced to enhance resilience to climate change throughout Europe, there are still significant gaps that keep some countries, such as the Baltics, more vulnerable to threats associated with climate change. Furthermore, strengthening physical and financial resilience would reduce damages from climate change and increase expected returns to private investment and output.
Keywords:
B. climate change mitigation; TF risk; data overview; Energy security; energy security; Greenhouse gas emissions; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Climate change; Carbon tax; Energy conservation; Global; Europe; Baltics
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of Latvia: 2019 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
This 2019 Article IV Consultation with Republic of Latvia highlights that the economy continued to expand rapidly in 2018, as growth surprised with a strong construction-driven upswing. Fiscal and current account deficits are at manageable levels, as is the public debt. The financial system remains stable, despite a significant balance sheet restructuring of banks servicing foreign clients. The growth outlook is favourable; however, risks weigh on the downside due to a less supportive external environment. The financial system remains stable despite a significant balance sheet restructuring of banks servicing foreign clients. Banks remains well capitalized and liquid, with capital levels about 40 percent higher than the euro area average and average liquidity coverage four times the regulatory minimum. Higher productivity and investment growth are needed to offset the impact of Latvia’s exceptionally unfavorable demographic trends and achieve robust long-term growth and rapid income convergence.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; debt; lat; firm; World Bank-International Monetary Fund mission; Latvia; SDR; IMF staff estimate; fiscal policy; support productivity-boosting reform; labor market; SME lending; lending constraint; core inflation; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Credit; Productivity; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of Latvia: Selected Issues
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
This Selected Issues paper analyses the implications of global value chains (GVC) participation for Latvia’s competitiveness and exposure to risks. Using a structural model, it assesses Latvia’s competitiveness through different real effective exchange rate (REER) measures and examines the main factors behind differences in the measures. Based on this analysis, the paper suggests policy options to strengthen Latvia’s competitiveness. The paper also estimates the impact of an appreciation of the GVC related REER measure on value added export growth and real GDP growth, and finds sizable effects, suggesting that a rapid labor market tightening could lead to erosion in competitiveness and reduction in growth. Finally, trade tension induced tariff hikes may have significant cost for Latvia, especially in terms of value added produced in the country. Trade tension induced tariff hikes are likely to have moderate costs for Latvia in terms of value added produced in the country. In this regard, policies aimed at enhancing product sophistication or quality and export market diversification could mitigate Latvia’s exposure to trade shocks in GVCs.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; firm; zombie firm; VA REER appreciation; REER index; firm gain; GVC participation; micro firm; value-added REER; Productivity; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Total factor productivity; Real effective exchange rates; Currencies; Global; Europe; Baltics; Western Europe; Asia and Pacific
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of Latvia: 2018 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Latvia
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
This 2018 Article IV Consultation highlights that Latvia’s government revenues overperformed in 2017, buoyed by strong economic activity and wage growth. Nonetheless, the 2017 general government structural balance recorded a deficit of 0.8 percent of GDP, which resulted in a positive fiscal impulse rendering fiscal policy procyclical. Despite the suspension of activities of Latvia’s third largest bank on money laundering concerns, the banking system remains well capitalized and liquid, with capital-to-risk-weighted assets of 22.4 percent and liquid assets exceeding 80 percent of short-term liabilities at end-March 2018. Deleveraging of both households and nonfinancial corporations continued, with household debt to income now at half of its pre-crisis levels.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; Latvia; GDP; debt; provision; authority; EU funds inflow; support labor market participation; World Bank-International Monetary Fund mission; income convergence process; labor force; cost competitiveness; IMF staff calculation; authorities' effort; Labor markets; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Wages; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Russian Federation: Financial Sector Assessment Program: Detailed Assessment of Observance Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision (BCP)
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
This paper evaluates observance of the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision in the Russian Federation. The legal framework currently in place provides the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) with necessary powers and responsibilities. The CBR may authorize banks, conduct ongoing supervision, oversee compliance with laws, and undertake corrective action to address safety and soundness. Major new reforms increase many aspects of the CBR’s duties and powers, although implementation has not yet been tested in all cases. The Russian licensing regime for banks appears exhaustive. However, the legal regime for major acquisitions was found to be weak.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; credit institution; risk management; bank group; business strategy; internal audit; risk profile; Correspondent banking; Credit; Internal controls; Bank legislation; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Spain: Selected Issues
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
This Selected Issues paper analyzes household savings ratio in Spain. The household savings ratio has fallen to its lowest historical rate in 2012, as households cut back savings to support consumption in response to negative income shocks. Household savings fell across all households, but the declines were likely more material among lower income and highly indebted groups. Declining household income and savings slowed deleveraging and put household balance sheets under pressure. Looking ahead, households may need to restrain consumption further to free resources for repaying debt. Household savings rates will likely stay below historical levels for some time then slowly increase.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; insolvency; saving; Spain; household saving; AIReF; insolvency regime; financial market spillover; AIReF staffing; AIReF president; Solvency; Disposable income; Pension spending; Fiscal law; Personal income; Global; Europe; North America; Africa
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of Latvia: Fourth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Financing Assurances Review, Request for Rephasing of Purchases Under the Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion
International Monetary Fund
Strong policy implementation under the Stand By-Arrangement (SBA) has contributed to Latvia’s economic recovery and put attainment of Maastricht criteria for euro adoption within reach. The government has continued to achieve substantial fiscal savings and strengthened its active labor market policy. Executive Directors stressed the need to implement plans for reforming state-owned banks and to promote market-based debt restructuring. Directors advised to maintain strong budget implementation in 2011 and focus on reducing taxes in the 2012 budget. They encouraged to enhance efficiency of state-owned enterprises to keep inflation under control.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; request for waiver of nonobservance; request; request for Rephasing; waiver; state; IMF's support; request for Rephasing of purchase; authorities' strategy; Inflation; PFM legal and regulatory frameworks; Budget planning and preparation; Global; Baltics; Europe
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of Latvia: Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism
International Monetary Fund
This report reviews the Observance of Standards and Codes on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for the Republic of Latvia. Latvia has taken strong measures in recent years, through legislative amendments and improvements in implementation, to address deficiencies in its AML/CFT framework and move closer to compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations. Most of the necessary AML/CFT institutions and legal framework are now in place, although coverage of some designated nonfinancial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) is not yet complete.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; AML Law; CFT risk; CFT requirement; CFT measure; CFT deficiency; CFT compliance; CFT authority; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Terrorism financing; Legal support in revenue administration; Money laundering; Correspondent banking; Western Europe
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic Of Latvia: Detailed Assessment Of Anti-Money Laundering And Combating The Financing Of Terrorism
International Monetary Fund
This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for the Republic of Latvia. The assessment reveals that aspects of Latvia’s financial services market expose it to a high risk of money laundering. There are welcome indications that money laundering risks have been reduced substantially owing to strong preventive measures being implemented by the authorities and financial institutions. The authorities and financial institutions are working to restore the international reputation of the Latvian financial sector.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; applicable sentence; criminal offence; confiscation of property; paragraph two; AML law; information regarding resource possession; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Terrorism financing; Money laundering; Internal controls; Baltics; Europe