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The comprehensive program supported by the IMF, the European Union, and the World Bank has helped Romania in stabilizing its economy, reversing imbalances, rebuilding confidence of international financial markets, and setting a sustainable economic growth. Executive Directors appreciated the authorities’ monetary and financial sector policies, which have been prudent and proactive in preserving financial stability during the crisis. Directors appreciated the strong economic performance of Romania under the program and approved a waiver to maintain the reform momentum and provide additional security against unforeseen shocks.

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country.

Seychelles's strong stabilization efforts has helped the economy to overcome debt crisis and global recession under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). But the authorities need to address monetary policy trade-offs, and financial sector challenges exist. Executive Directors welcomed Seychelles's structural reform agenda, which aims at enhancing public financial and central bank management, strengthening competition and risk management, and reducing the role of the state in the financial system. Directors appreciated Seychelles's strong performance compliance with performance criteria under the economic program, and extended further financing.

The paper highlights that Guinea-Bissau managed to maintain macroeconomic stability amid challenging political circumstances. The Executive Board agreed that the performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF)-supported program has been satisfactory in attaining substantial progress with structural reforms. They agreed that it has qualified for debt relief, including for topping-up assistance; the Board also stressed the need to maintain commitment to the successful implementation of economic reforms.

After a period of economic slowdown, the outlook for Sierra Leone appears more favorable. Development priorities and their financing while maintaining a competitive economy and a sustainable debt outlook will help. Structural reforms will focus on improving tax administration, strengthening public financial management, and deepening the financial sector. A key constraint to economic growth in the medium term is the lack of basic infrastructure. Executive Directors support the request to modify the target on net domestic bank credit to the government.

Mozambique continues to show a strong economic performance. The inflation expectations require a tightening of the macroeconomic policy mix. Executive Directors commended the role of government in sustaining economic growth by accelerating the public investment program. Engaging development partners and civil society to make the growth strategy more inclusive and allowing Mozambicans to participate in economic growth and the determination in fighting inflation is welcome. The fuel price policy has contributed to substantial costs to Mozambique’s fiscal and external accounts, and poses future risks.

A very ambitious fiscal adjustment effort is under way. Fiscal institutional and sectoral reforms have been elaborated for a more durable adjustment. Greece’s determination toward a comprehensive modernization of the health sector, beginning with a far-reaching reform of state enterprises and redoubling efforts to improve tax administration, is commended. An acceleration of reforms is essential to restore robust economic growth. Liquidity remains precariously tight. Pressure points are evident in the public sector, and still generally unfavorable investor sentiments suggest that the program is still at crossroads.

Economic recovery has gained momentum, and short-term prospects have improved. Program implementation is good. Fiscal consolidation is essential for Burkina Faso’s macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. Structural reforms remain focused on a few priority areas supporting growth and macroeconomic stability. Terms-of-trade and weather-related shocks are the main risks to the economic outlook. Executive Directors commend the government for their commitment to sound policies and encourage them to proceed with the reform agenda. The government also needs to sustain revenue mobilization to improve fiscal sustainability.

Generally, macroeconomic performance has been as envisaged at the time of the program request. The near-term outlook has improved, despite uncertain global conditions. The new government of Solomon Islands remains committed to program targets and objectives agreed. The government’s efforts in adhering to program fiscal targets are commendable, as the main anchor to macroeconomic stability. Excess liquidity in the banking system and commodity price pressures continue to pose inflation risks. Strong adherence to the program would help anchor macroeconomic policy and address structural weaknesses.

Ethiopia has successfully implemented policies to reduce inflation and rebuild external reserves. Fiscal policy aims to continue the strong focus on physical and social infrastructure investment while raising the revenue effort. The recent reframing of monetary policy to adopt a reserve money nominal anchor holds out the prospect for the end of financial repression. While the External Shocks Facility-supported program has achieved its objectives of macroeconomic stabilization and a rebuilding of external reserves, much remains to be done to sustain and accelerate growth.

The Kyrgyz government faces challenges of political turmoil and inter-ethnic flare-ups. The fiscal policy response to the economic crisis is appropriate, but there are limits to the expansion. The balances between revenue and expenditure choices as well as a shortfall in donor budget financing have to be maintained. Debt sustainability requires near and medium-term fiscal consolidation. Monetary policy has to support the post-crisis economic recovery while guarding against signs of exchange rate or inflation pressures. The emphasis on improving governance, transparency, and safeguards is commended.

The economy of Honduras contracted as a result of the global economic crisis. In the economic policy area, the authorities gave priority to strengthening the financial position of the public sector and restarting the external assistance. Measures are taken to strengthen the fiscal position, in particular wage bill control, energy subsidies, public sector tariffs, domestic arrears. Monetary and exchange rate policies will be geared at maintaining low inflation, safeguarding competitiveness, and strengthening the external reserves position. The authorities planned to improve the regulatory framework.

The global financial crisis has slowed the Burundian economy and a significant decline in inflation. Against the background of the East African Community (EAC) integration, the Article IV Consultation discussions focused on three fundamental themes. IMF staff and authorities agreed on the need to pursue appropriate growth-enhancing reforms. The authorities and staff agreed on the need to continue reforms of wages and employment to bring the wage bill down to sustainable levels. The fourth review was completed based on Burundi’s performance and the strength of the program.

Yemen is confronted with a range of difficult economic challenges. The reduction in oil revenues in the past year has affected the Yemeni economy through a set of direct and indirect channels. The loss of oil revenue contributed to a record fiscal deficit of about 10 percent of GDP in 2009, financed in large part by the central bank. The balance of payments was also put under considerable strain. The identified measures are home-grown and designed to have a long-lasting impact on the structure of the budget.

The overall fiscal position improved and the reduction in domestic arrears was triple the program target. The direct impact of the global financial crisis on Djibouti has been limited. The financial system has not been affected by the global crisis, and capital adequacy has improved slightly despite increased competition. GDP growth remained strong in 2008, and inflation decelerated during the fourth quarter. The risk of external debt distress remains high. Banks remain profitable and have not been affected by the global financial crisis.

Jamaica has performed well under the Stand-By Arrangement program. Executive Directors commended that overall macroeconomic performance under the program has been encouraging. Directors welcomed the program aimed at fiscal responsibility legislation and central treasury management, public debt restructuring, financial sector reforms, including the improvement of consolidated supervision and the regulation of nonbanks. They agreed that the sale of Air Jamaica represents an important milestone. Based on overall satisfactory performance of Jamaica on completion of the First Review of the SBA, the IMF approved immediate fund disbursement.

Sri Lanka’ performance under the Stand-by Arrangement is encouraging, but fundamental vulnerabilities remain. Executive Directors emphasized the need for strict adherence to program targets and steadfast implementation of the reform agenda. They commended deficit reduction and planned fiscal reforms through expenditure restraint and tax reform for simplifying the system. They appreciated the improvement in financial sector reform brought about by improving the bank resolution framework. They emphasized that post-war reconstruction needs should be met by diverting budget resources from military activities, as well as through donor financing.

Jamaica has been stuck in a cycle of low growth and high debt dynamics. It has been severely impacted by the global economic slowdown, and finances have deteriorated. Jamaica’s objective of virtually eliminating the overall public sector deficit is appropriate. Embedding the medium-term fiscal consolidation effort in a comprehensive set of fiscal structural reforms is the key. Strengthening regulatory and supervisory frameworks along with legislative and structural reforms will reduce systemic risks to the financial system. The proposed program carries risks but these risks are manageable.

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Dominican Republic's economy has been adversely affected by the global crisis. Output has been below potential as real GDP growth is decelerating rapidly from more than 5 percent in 2008 to an estimated 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent in 2009. Monetary authorities have responded to the crisis in a timely manner. The authorities’ program aims to limit the effects of the global slowdown on the economy while establishing the conditions for robust and sustainable growth.

This paper presents the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe’s first review under the Three Year Arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement. After averaging 6 percent a year over several years, real GDP growth in 2009 is estimated at 4 percent, reflecting a decline in foreign direct investment (FDI), which in part reflected the impact of the global crisis. Growth is expected to rebound in 2010, based on new FDI and increased official external financing.

Armenia’s third review under the Stand-By Arrangement and its request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion are discussed. The uptick in inflation was largely driven by exogenous factors, but it is important that these do not feed into further inflationary expectations. The financial sector has been resilient to the crisis and almost all banks are well capitalized. The fiscal stimulus has appropriately supported the economy during the crisis and maintaining priority public spending has been critical for mitigating the impact of the crisis on the poor

This paper discusses key findings of the Fifth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Hungary. All end-December 2009 quantitative performance criteria, the continuous performance criterion on nonaccumulation of external arrears, and the indicative target on central government debt were met. The structural benchmarks on government lending to banks, passage by parliament of amendments strengthening the remedial powers of the Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority (HFSA), and submission of amendments strengthening the bank resolution framework were also met. Further strengthening of policies is required to ensure macroeconomic stability and growth over the medium term.

This paper discusses key findings of the Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Burundi. In a difficult post-conflict environment, performance on the ECF-supported program was satisfactory. All quantitative performance criteria for end-September 2009 were met, and structural reforms are on track. The closing of off-budget accounts constitutes a major step toward establishment of a single treasury account. The program for 2010 seeks to consolidate economic stability and support gradual recovery of the economy. IMF staff recommends completion of the Third Review based on Burundi’s performance and the strength of the program.

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Iraq’s longer-term economic outlook is strong as oil prices and production are projected to increase markedly in the coming years. However, based on conservative oil price assumptions, the external current account and the overall balance of payments are expected to remain in deficit in 2010 and 2011. Similarly, Iraq’s fiscal position is projected to record significant, albeit declining deficits in both years, before returning to a surplus position in 2012.

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review and Financing Assurances Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Latvia. The sharp economic downturn is starting to bottom out, although recovery has not yet begun. The authorities have implemented the June 2009 supplementary budget, and met with a wide margin the end-September performance criterion on the adjusted primary balance. The continuous performance criterion on external payments arrears was missed by a small amount, which the authorities expect to resolve soon.

This paper discusses key findings of the Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Mali. Implementation of the ECF-supported program has been challenged by the global financial crisis and the ensuing global slowdown. The new program aims to continue prudent fiscal policies and complementary reforms. The 2008 food and oil crisis challenged program implementation, but performance was broadly satisfactory. On the basis of the authorities’ satisfactory record, IMF staff recommends completion of the Third Review of the current ECF arrangement.

This paper discusses key findings of the Sixth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for The Gambia. Recent performance under the ECF-supported program continued to be broadly satisfactory. All quantitative performance criteria for end-September 2009 were achieved, except for the fiscal target, and there was good progress on the structural agenda. IMF staff recommends approval of the authorities’ request for a waiver for the nonobservance of the fiscal performance criterion based on corrective actions, notably the government budget for 2010 approved by the National Assembly with a near-zero basic balance.

This paper discusses key findings of the Second and Third Reviews under the Stand-By Arrangement for Romania. Most end-December 2009 quantitative performance criteria were met. The ceiling on the accumulation of domestic arrears at end-September was missed, and preliminary data suggest the end-December target was also missed. The end-2009 inflation rate was slightly higher than the central bank target, but remained well within the inner band of the inflation consultation mechanism. The authorities have agreed to reschedule the benchmark for end-June 2010. IMF staff supports the waiver requested by the authorities.

This paper discusses key findings of the Third Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Togo. The PRGF-supported program remains on track despite the shocks. All quantitative and structural performance criteria through end-June 2009 were met. All targets for implementation of structural reforms were fulfilled through end-June; delays have developed for the second half of 2009 primarily owing to capacity constraints. The authorities have committed to completing key reforms in 2010 to strengthen public finances, restructure the banking system, and accelerate growth.

The staff report on Guatemala’s 2009 Article IV Consultation and Second Review under the Stand-By Arrangement, and Requests for Modification of Performance Criterion and Consultation Clause are presented. There are signs that the Guatemalan economy is starting to recover. Real GDP growth and inflation are picking up, imports have begun to grow, and net private capital flows have stabilized. Real GDP growth is likely to remain low and inflation subdued. Over the medium term, economic growth is expected to be weaker than prior to the global crisis, and inflation to stabilize at trading partners’ levels.

This paper presents Haiti’s Sixth Review under the Extended Credit Facility and request for Waiver of Performance Criterion, and Augmentation of Access. Manufacturing activity would be hit the most, as the largest enterprises, including the important export textile sector, have been located in the Port-au-Prince area. The destruction of government and private buildings is also estimated to result in a sharp drop in government services, commerce, and tourism. Agriculture, the main growth driver, would be affected owing to widespread damages to the production systems in and around the earthquake area.

This paper examines the Maldives’ 2009 Article IV Consultation on economic developments and policies. The Maldivian economy is facing large external and fiscal imbalances, resulting from the severe impact of the global financial crisis and exacerbated by an unsustainable fiscal expansion. The global crisis has led to sharp declines in tourism and related investment, other net capital flows, and exports. This has caused a significant fall in fiscal revenue, compounding a large increase in public spending, and pushed the economy into recession. A rising share of the resulting fiscal deficit has been financed by monetization.

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Central African Republic has recorded the modest economic growth since the end of the internal conflict in 2003, recovering from decades of decline in living standards. Real GDP grew by 2½ percent a year on average during 2004–08. In 2008 and early 2009, a series of domestic and external shocks hit the economy, beginning with unstable power supply, followed by price rises in imported commodities, and later the global recession. Executive Directors have underscored the importance of further strengthening fiscal management.

This paper examines Afghanistan’s Sixth Review under the arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. The growth of currency in circulation has been carefully managed to support the decline in inflation from double-digit levels in 2008. Reserve money, however, has been volatile, primarily because of unexpected changes in coalition forces’ deposits. Money demand remained strong as evidenced by the decline in inflation and a nominal appreciation of the Afghani. The authorities have also been implementing a short-term revenue action plan with measures aimed at limiting corruption.

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Zambian economy has performed well in recent years and showed some resilience to the recent global recession. Growth in 2009 is now projected at 5.3 percent, in line with the average for recent years, as the slowdown in the tertiary sector was compensated by a significant increase in copper production and a bumper crop. Executive Directors have commended the Zambian authorities for their prudent macroeconomic management, observing that the Zambian economy has proven resilient to the global economic crisis.

This paper discusses key findings of the Fifth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Arrangement for Sierra Leone. Program performance in the first half of 2009 was satisfactory. All end-June quantitative performance criteria were met, as were all end-June structural benchmarks, although one with a delay. One of the two structural benchmarks for September 2009 was met, while the other was missed. Fiscal policy for the remainder of 2009 will aim to keep domestic revenue collection on track while containing unanticipated spending pressures.

In 2008–09, economic activity in Burkina Faso was negatively affected by the increase in global food and fuel prices, the global economic and financial crisis, and heavy flooding in Ouagadougou in September 2009. These shocks are estimated to have contributed to a deterioration in poverty indicators. Spending on emergency and humanitarian needs rose after the 2009 flooding. Fiscal stimulus measures were also adopted to support economic activity. Executive Directors have welcomed the authorities’ resolve to enhance revenue performance and expenditure management while unwinding exceptional expenditure generated by adverse exogenous shocks.

This paper discusses key findings of the Third Review for Liberia Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). The program remains on track. All performance criteria (PC) for end-June 2009 were met, except the PC on total revenue collection. IMF staff supports the authorities’ request for a waiver on the basis that the deviation was temporary and did not jeopardize key program objectives. Structural reform commitments were largely met, albeit some with delays. The 2010 quantitative and structural reform program is appropriately ambitious.

This paper discusses key findings of the Sixth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI) for the United Republic of Tanzania. All end-June 2009 quantitative performance/assessment criteria were met. Good progress has been achieved with structural reforms. The Executive Board approved the Fifth Review of the PSI and a 12-month arrangement under the high access component of the Exogenous Shocks Facility in the amount of SDR 218.79 million (110 percent of quota) on May 29, 2009.

This paper discusses key findings of the Sixth Review for Uganda Under the Policy Support Instrument. Structural rigidities continue to pose challenges to macroeconomic management in Uganda. Persistent weaknesses in project implementation coupled with rigidities in domestic financial markets limited the scope for fiscal and monetary stimulus in 2008/09. Progress with structural reforms has been uneven and may not have kept pace with the needs raised by the public investment drive. Macroeconomic policies will continue to aim at overcoming infrastructure bottlenecks while mitigating the impact of external shocks on domestic activity.

This paper discusses key findings of the Fourth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement for Hungary. All end-September 2009 quantitative performance criteria, the continuous performance criterion on nonaccumulation of external arrears, the indicative target on central government debt, as well as the continuous structural benchmark related to government lending to banks were met. Inflation in September breached the lower inner band of the inflation consultation mechanism. The structural benchmark on submission of legislation on strengthening the institutional framework for bank supervision was met with only a minor delay.

This paper discusses key findings of the Fifth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument for Mozambique, and findings of the First Review Under the Exogenous Shocks Facility. The country’s track record of prudent policies has provided ample space for easing macroeconomic policies in 2009. Revenues surpassed expectations in the first semester and the fiscal program was on track at end-September, although the government missed its end-June 2009 assessment/performance criterion on net domestic credit very marginally. The government has reiterated its commitment to its medium-term strategy of prudent macroeconomic policies.

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Côte d’Ivoire has embarked on comprehensive reform policies to address the challenges of enhancing growth and reducing poverty. It adopted a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper in February 2009, which covers the seven-year period 2009–15, and aims to transform the country into an emerging economy. The authorities have strengthened fiscal control and the transparency of budget implementation in recent years while making room to increase pro-poor spending. Significant revenue efforts have facilitated an increase in spending for urgent needs.

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Armenia. The authorities met all quantitative performance criteria for end-June and end-September, with the exception of the end-September fiscal balance. All structural benchmarks for end-June and end-September were also implemented. The authorities request a waiver of nonobservance for the end-September fiscal balance performance criterion given the minor and temporary nature of the deviation. IMF staff supports this request, as well as the authorities’ request for completing this review.

This paper discusses key findings of the Review Under the Flexible Credit Line (FCL) Arrangement for Poland. The authorities have taken measures to mitigate the economic slowdown and maintain macroeconomic stability. With subdued inflation, monetary policy has been accommodative during the first half of 2009. Measures have also been taken to safeguard financial stability. The IMF staff’s assessment is that Poland continues to meet the qualification criteria for access to FCL resources and remains committed to responding appropriately to actual or potential balance of payments pressures.

This paper discusses an assessment of Comoros’s performance Under the Program Supported by the Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance (EPCA). Overall performance under the EPCA-supported program has been broadly satisfactory. Nearly all EPCA performance indicators for end-March 2009 were observed. Revenue collection was stronger than anticipated. On the spending side, recent measures to improve expenditure management are gradually restoring order in spending operations, although continued difficulties have been experienced in managing the wage bill. All but one of the structural indicators were met.

Facing declining reserves and high inflation, Ethiopian authorities have implemented an effective macroeconomic adjustment package supported by the IMF under the rapid-access component of the Exogenous Shocks Facility. The global recession is putting renewed pressure on the external position, via weaker export receipts and remittances and slowing inward direct investment. Supporting structural measures focus on tax reform, the control of public enterprise borrowing, and the control of liquidity through indirect instruments.

This staff report highlights Dominica’s Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid-Access Component of the Exogenous Shocks Facility. Although macroeconomic policy has been prudent and well-oriented, it is important to maintain the reform momentum. In this context, the key policy challenges facing the authorities are to stem the decline in economic activity resulting from the global downturn and to maintain a sustainable fiscal stance given the high public debt, and to improve competitiveness and reduce vulnerabilities to exogenous shocks.

This paper discusses key findings of the Second Review for Pakistan and a request for the augmentation of access under the Stand-By Arrangement. Program performance has been mixed. All end-March quantitative performance criteria were met, but structural reform has been slower than programmed. The authorities indicated that the fiscal deficit ceiling may have been exceeded by 0.9 percent of GDP and, therefore, request a waiver of nonobservance for the related end-June 2009 performance criterion. The authorities also request waivers of applicability for other end-June quantitative performance criteria.

This paper discusses key findings of the Sixth Review under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for Rwanda. All end-2008 quantitative performance criteria were met, and performance through March 2009 was broadly satisfactory. IMF staff recommends completion of the sixth review under the PRGF arrangement based on Rwanda’s performance and understandings reached on the macroeconomic program for 2009/10. IMF staff also supports the authorities’ request for waivers of nonobservance of performance criteria on nonconcessional borrowing and nonintroduction of multiple currency practices.