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International Monetary Fund
Poverty risk is most marked for children, displaced persons and returnees, unemployed, and people with low education. Basic goals of the macroeconomic framework of the mid-term development strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina are to reduce the overall public expenditures, lower the public debt, and to bring the current account deficit to a sustainable level through fiscal consolidation. The strategy is to attract more foreign investment, create conditions for a more efficient privatization process, and to ensure new cycles of donor assistance.
Antonis Adam
,
Mr. James McHugh
, and
Mr. Theodora Kosma
This paper explores the effectiveness of the Central European Free Trade Area (CEFTA) and the Baltic Free Trade Area (BFTA). Estimates from a gravity model and bilateral trade data support the view that both CEFTA and BFTA helped expand regional trade and limit the emergence of a "hub-and-spoke" relationship between the CEECs and the European Union (EU). These empirical conclusions carry some important policy implications for the "second wave" of prospective EU members among Southeastern European Countries (SEECs). The paper argues that the SEECs should reconsider their bilateral approach to trade liberalization and move towards a multilateral free-trade area as exemplified by both the CEFTA and BFTA.
Mr. Jack Diamond
and
Mr. Duncan P Last
For the republics of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) as for many other transition economies, an important step in introducing a more market-oriented system was the restructuring of their budget systems. This paper reviews and evaluates the process of budget system reform during the transition period extending from the time they emerged from the collapse of the SFRY in 1989 until the end of 2002. For at least a decade of this period, the Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF has been providing technical assistance (TA) to these countries to facilitate such reforms. Based on the material generated by this effort, the authors offer a review of the progress made and an assessment of the reform elements still to be completed. Given that the former Yugoslav republics all commenced the reform process with the same institutions, this paper offers a unique opportunity to analyze the critical elements in successful budget system reform. An attempt is made to explain the varying degrees of success experienced by different countries, and a reform agenda is suggested to guide future TA.
International Monetary Fund
Economic performance in 2002 was generally favorable with good policy implementation, but considerable risks remain. Structural reforms have fallen behind program expectations, but the delays are being addressed. The discussions highlighted the need for prudent policies and strengthening of structural reforms. The structural reforms will focus on tax administration and expenditure management, banking supervision and resolution, and privatization. Monetary and exchange rate policies in Serbia should continue to balance the inflation and external objectives. Serbia and Montenegro's performance under the Extended Arrangement has remained good.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department

Abstract

This 2003 Annual Report on Exchange Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions provides a detailed description of the exchange arrangements and exchange/trade restrictions of individual IMF member countries and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. The report highlights that Bangladesh Bank announces a buying–selling rate band for the U.S. dollar against the taka for its transactions with authorized dealer banks. Trends of the real effective exchange rate of the taka against a trade-weighted basket of currencies of major trade partners are analyzed to monitor the external competitiveness of the exchange rate.

International Monetary Fund
This paper assesses Serbia and Montenegro’s First Review Under the Extended Arrangement (EA). Serbia and Montenegro’s economic and policy performance has remained good under the current EA, but daunting challenges lie ahead. Macroeconomic policies need to be carefully calibrated to address potential risks to macroeconomic and financial instability, while the task of economic restructuring will be increasingly difficult. The IMF staff welcomes the authorities’ commitment to address delays in the adoption of reform legislation that led to nonobservance of some structural benchmarks and notes the need to avoid new slippages.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department

Abstract

This 2002 Annual Report on Exchange Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions provides a detailed description of the exchange arrangements and exchange/trade restrictions of individual IMF member countries and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. The report highlights that the exchange rate of the Australian dollar is market determined. Licensed foreign exchange dealers may deal among themselves, with their customers, and with overseas counterparties at mutually negotiated rates for both spot and forward transactions in any currency with regard to trade- and nontrade-related transactions.

International Monetary Fund
This paper assesses the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s (FRY) 2002 Article IV Consultation, Third Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), and a Request for an Extended Arrangement. Despite the impressive achievements since late 2000, when FRY succeeded to membership in the IMF, the challenges facing the authorities remain daunting. The FRY authorities’ medium-term program of stabilization sets a good basis for achieving sustainable growth and a viable external position, and deserves the continued support of the IMF through completion of the third review under the current SBA and approval of the proposed extended arrangement.
International Monetary Fund
This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia outlines the progress made in the fiscal area since late 2000, focusing on the overall fiscal adjustment (developments in revenue and expenditure) and reforms of the tax system and social spending. The paper also presents an overview of financial sector reforms in Serbia and Montenegro, elaborates on the closure of the four largest state-owned banks in Serbia, and outlines progress in strengthening prudential supervision in both republics.
International Monetary Fund
This paper highlights the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s Second Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Modification of Performance Criteria. Economic activity is recovering from low levels in the Republic, while progress has been made in lowering inflation. Adjusting for large increases in administered prices and indirect taxes, core inflation is tentatively estimated at about 15–20 percent. The balance of payments feature a widening trade deficit and robust invisible receipts. The authorities are grateful for the wide range of technical assistance they received from the IMF and the World Bank.