Mali: Sixth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria and Augmentation of Access—Informational Annex

The Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper III (GPRS-III) will provide a framework for the government’s economic, financial, and sectoral policies for the period 2012–17. All performance criteria (PC) and indicative targets through end-December were observed, except for the indicative target on priority spending, which was missed by a small margin. All measures subject to end-year structural benchmarks were observed except one, on which the authorities are making good progress. The authorities plan to continue implementing stability-oriented macroeconomic policies and growth-enhancing and poverty-reducing policies. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were achieved.

Abstract

The Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper III (GPRS-III) will provide a framework for the government’s economic, financial, and sectoral policies for the period 2012–17. All performance criteria (PC) and indicative targets through end-December were observed, except for the indicative target on priority spending, which was missed by a small margin. All measures subject to end-year structural benchmarks were observed except one, on which the authorities are making good progress. The authorities plan to continue implementing stability-oriented macroeconomic policies and growth-enhancing and poverty-reducing policies. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were achieved.

I. Mali: Relations with the Fund

(As of April 30, 2011)

I. Membership Status: Joined: September 27, 1963; Article VIII

II. General Resources Account:

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III. SDR Department:

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IV. Outstanding Purchases and Loans:

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V. Latest Financial Arrangements:

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Formerly PRGF.

VI. Projected Payments to Fund 2/ (SDR Million; based on existing use of resources and present holdings of SDRs):

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When a member has overdue financial obligations outstanding for more than three months, the amount of such arrears will be shown in this section.

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Assistance committed under the original framework is expressed in net present value (NPV) terms at the completion point, and assistance committed under the enhanced framework is expressed in NPV terms at the decision point. Hence these two amounts can not be added.

Under the enhanced framework, an additional disbursement is made at the completion point corresponding to interest income earned on the amount committed at the decision point but not disbursed during the interim period.

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The MDRI provides 100 percent debt relief to eligible member countries that qualified for the assistance. Grant assistance from the MDRI Trust and HIPC resources provide debt relief to cover the full stock of debt owed to the Fund as of end-2004 that remains outstanding at the time the member qualifies for such debt relief.

IX. Safeguards Assessments

The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) is a common central bank of the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAMU). The most recent safeguards assessment of the BCEAO was completed on March 1, 2010. The 2010 update assessment found that the BCEAO continues to have controls in place at the operational level. The overall governance framework needed nonetheless to be strengthened by the addition of an audit committee to ensure that the Board of Directors exercises appropriate oversight over the control structure, including the audit mechanisms and financial statements. The Institutional Reform of the WAEMU and the BCEAO completed after the approval of the safeguards report stipulated the creation of the Audit Committee, which should now start working. Efforts to implement fully the International Financial Reporting Standards reporting framework should also be pursued.

X. Exchange Rate Arrangement

Mali is a member of the WAEMU. The exchange system, common to all members of the union, has no restrictions on the making of payments and transfers for current international transactions. The union’s common currency, the CFA franc, was pegged to the French franc at the rate of CFAF 50 = F 1 from 1948 until early 1994. Effective January 12, 1994, the CFA franc was devalued, and the new parity set at CFAF 100 = F 1. Effective January 1, 1999, the CFA franc was pegged to the Euro at a rate of CFAF 655.96 = EUR 1.

As of June 1, 1996, Mali and other members of WAEMU accepted the obligations of Article VIII, Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Fund’s Articles of Agreement.

Sharing a common trade policy with other members of WAEMU, Mali has shifted key trade policy-making to the sub-regional level. The common external tariff (CET) was adopted in January 2000. Mali complies with the union’s tariff rate structure and has effectively dismantled internal tariffs. WAEMU tariff reform has reduced the simple average custom duty from 22.1 percent in 1997 to 14.6 percent in 2003 (latest available): the maximum rate is 20 percent. Imports to Mali are not subject to quantitative restrictions.

Mali’s exports to the European Union generally enjoy non-reciprocal preferential treatment in the form of exemption from import duties under the Everything but Arms initiative. Malian goods enjoy nonreciprocal preferential access to the markets of developed countries other than the European Union under the Generalized System of Preferences. Mali is also eligible to benefits from the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act. At the WAEMU level, officially Mali experiences no regulatory impediments to its exports.

XI. Article IV Consultations

Mali’s Article IV consultation cycle is governed by the provisions of the July 2002 decision on consultation cycles. The Executive Board completed the 2010 Article IV consultation (Country Report No. 10/255) on July 16, 2010. The next Article IV consultation is expected to be completed by July 2012.

XII. Technical Assistance

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XIII. Resident Representative

Mr. Alain Feler has been the Fund Resident Representative in Bamako since November 2008.

II. RELATIONS WITH THE BANK

THE JMAP BANK–FUND MATRIX

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III. MALI—STATISTICAL ISSUES APPENDIX

(As of May 10, 2011)

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Common Indicators Required for Surveillance

(As of April 29, 2011)

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Any reserve assets that are pledged of otherwise encumbered should be specified separately. Also, data should comprise short-term liabilities linked to a foreign currency but settled by other means as well as the notional values of financial derivatives to pay and to receive foreign currency, including those linked to a foreign currency but settled by other means.

Both market-based and officially-determined, including discount rates, money market rates, rates on treasury bills, notes and bonds.

Foreign, domestic bank, and domestic nonbank financing.

The general government consists of the central government (budgetary funds, extra budgetary funds, and social security funds) and state and local governments.

Including currency and maturity composition.

Includes external gross financial asset and liability position vis-à-vis nonresidents.

Daily (D); weekly (W); monthly (M); quarterly (Q); annually (A); irregular (I); and not available (NA).

Mali: Sixth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria and Augmentation of Access: Staff Report; Informational Annex; Statement by the Staff Representative; Statement by the Executive Director for Mali; and Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion
Author: International Monetary Fund