Democratic Republic of the Congo: First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurances Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo: First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurances Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Author: International Monetary
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2022-01-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1616355808

After a third wave over the summer, COVID-19 cases are declining but vaccination has stalled. Economic activity has improved on the back of strengthened external demand, allowing for a stronger-than-envisaged buildup in international reserves. Inflation and the exchange rate have stabilized. Near-term challenges arise from uncertainty related to the pandemic and the gradual global economic recovery supporting high commodity prices.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 115
Release: 2023-07-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Growth has remained strong and resilient, fueled by expanding mining activity. However, the escalation of the armed conflict in Eastern DRC is having major negative humanitarian effects and weighed on public finances; upcoming elections, scheduled at the end of 2023, are also adding to uncertainty. Since the last review, the government’s revenue shortfalls and rapid spending contributed to a deterioration of the external balance, excess domestic currency liquidity, exchange rate depreciation, and persistent inflation.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2023-12-20
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Despite the continuing impact of the armed conflict in the East on the security and humanitarian situation, and approaching elections scheduled on December 20, 2023, the authorities remain committed to preserve program’s objectives, including by limiting macroeconomic slippages and continuing implementation of the economic reform program.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 70
Release: 2010-10-26
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1455208418

Congo’s economic program aims to enhance macroeconomic stability and advance reforms to bolster economic management and improve the supply response of the economy. Progress in implementing the program has been affected negatively by the continuation of conflict. Fiscal policy aims at reducing government recourse to central bank financing. Structural reforms in revenue mobilization and public financial management (PFM) are critical for achieving the fiscal policy objectives. Pressing ahead with structural reforms is required for higher economic growth. Executive Directors suggest adoption of the Lending into Arrears Policy.

Barbados

Barbados
Author: International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 90
Release: 2018-10-04
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484380037

The key objectives of the program are to restore macroeconomic and debt sustainability, address falling reserves, and increase growth. The new government, which took office in late May, has committed to fiscal consolidation and structural reform as key tools for macroeconomic adjustment.

International Monetary Fund Annual Report 2021

International Monetary Fund Annual Report 2021
Author: International Monetary Fund. Secretary's Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 74
Release: 2021-10-04
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513568817

A recovery is underway, but the economic fallout from the global pandemic could be with us for years to come. With the crisis exacerbating prepandemic vulnerabilities, country prospects are diverging. Nearly half of emerging market and developing economies and some middle-income countries are now at risk of falling further behind, undoing much of the progress made toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Global Waves of Debt

Global Waves of Debt
Author: M. Ayhan Kose
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 403
Release: 2021-03-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1464815453

The global economy has experienced four waves of rapid debt accumulation over the past 50 years. The first three debt waves ended with financial crises in many emerging market and developing economies. During the current wave, which started in 2010, the increase in debt in these economies has already been larger, faster, and broader-based than in the previous three waves. Current low interest rates mitigate some of the risks associated with high debt. However, emerging market and developing economies are also confronted by weak growth prospects, mounting vulnerabilities, and elevated global risks. A menu of policy options is available to reduce the likelihood that the current debt wave will end in crisis and, if crises do take place, will alleviate their impact.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 95
Release: 2018-12-18
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 148439139X

Sierra Leone is a fragile state. Since emerging from a decade-long civil war in 2001, the country has made notable economic progress but has also suffered occasional setbacks, such as the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2014. A three-year ECF arrangement was approved June 2017 to help address Sierra Leone’s macroeconomic weaknesses—in particular, low revenue, elevated inflation, high public debt, and inadequate foreign exchange reserve buffers—which had been exacerbated by the Ebola crisis and a collapse in iron ore prices (Country Report No. 17/154). However, the program went off track shortly after approval as lackluster revenue performance and expenditure overruns led to a budget cash shortfall and a growing stock of budget arrears. With the authorities unable to take corrective actions ahead of the March 2018 presidential elections the first review of the program was put on hold. Since then elections have produced a new government, marking the first change of power in ten years. This government has taken a number of corrective actions over the last six months with the aim of reviving the program engagement with the IMF.

Liberia

Liberia
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2014-07-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498354661

This paper focuses on Liberia’s Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion (PC) and Modification of Performance Criteria. Real GDP grew at 8.7 percent in 2013 and is projected to decline to 5.9 percent in 2014 as mining production decelerates. Most end-December 2013 PCs and indicative targets (ITs) were met, except for the PC on government revenue and the IT on external borrowing. Four out of five structural benchmarks were met on time. The IMF staff supports the completion of the third ECF review.