Some Policy Lessons from Country Applications of the DIG and DIGNAR Models

Some Policy Lessons from Country Applications of the DIG and DIGNAR Models
Author: Daniel Gurara
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2019-03-18
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498302882

Over the past seven years, the DIG and DIGNAR models have complemented the IMF and World Bank debt sustainability framework (DSF) analysis, over 65 country applications. They have provided useful insights in the context of program and surveillance work, based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the macroeconomic effects of public investment scaling-ups. This paper takes stock of the model applications and extensions, and extract five common policy lessons from the universe of country cases. First, improving public investment efficiency and/or raising the rate of return of public projects raises growth and lowers the risks associated with debt sustainability. Second, prudent and gradual investment scaling-ups are preferable to aggressive front-loaded ones, in terms of private sector crowding-out effects, absorptive capacity constraints, and debt sustainability risks. Third, domestic revenue mobilization helps create fiscal space for investment scaling-ups, by effectively containing public debt surges and their later-on repayments. Fourth, aid smoothens fiscal adjustments associated with public investment increases and may lower the risks of unsustainable debt. Fifth, external savings mitigate Dutch disease macroeconomic effects and serve as fiscal buffers. The paper also discusses how these models were used to estimate the quantitative macro economic effects associated with these lessons.

DIGNAR-19 Toolkit Manual

DIGNAR-19 Toolkit Manual
Author: Mr. Zamid Aligishiev
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2021-06-23
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513583247

This note is a user’s manual for the DIGNAR-19 toolkit, an application aimed at facilitating the use of the DIGNAR-19 model by economists with no to little knowledge of Matlab and Dynare via a user-friendly Excel-based interface. he toolkit comprises three tools—the simulation tool, the graphing tool, and the realism tool—that translate the contents of an Excel input file into instructions for Matlab/Dynare programs. These programs are executed behind the scenes. Outputs are saved in a separate Excel file and can also be visualized in customizable charts.

Pakistan

Pakistan
Author: International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 39
Release: 2024-10-10
Genre:
ISBN:

Pakistan: Selected Issues

A User Manual for the DIGNAD Toolkit

A User Manual for the DIGNAD Toolkit
Author: Mr. Zamid Aligishiev
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 42
Release: 2023-06-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

This note is a user’s manual for the DIGNAD toolkit, an application aimed at facilitating the use of the DIGNAD model (Debt-Investment-Growth and Natural Disasters) by economists with no to little knowledge of MATLAB and Dynare via a user-friendly Excel-based interface. DIGNAD is a dynamic general equilibrium model of a small open economy developed at the International Monetary Fund. The model can help economists and policymakers with quantitative assessments and policy scenario analysis of the macrofiscal effects of natural disasters and adaptation infrastructure investments in low-income developing countries and emerging markets. DIGNAD is tailored to disaster-prone countries, which typically are small countries or low-income countries that are particularly exposed to large climate shocks—countries where shocks that can disrupt the entire economy are frequent. However, DIGNAD can be relevant also for larger countries that may potentially be exposed to extreme climatic disasters in the future.

Macroeconomic Research in Low-income Countries

Macroeconomic Research in Low-income Countries
Author: Hites Ahir
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 76
Release: 2021-03-24
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513566601

Despite strong economic growth since 2000, many low-income countries (LICs) still face numerous macroeconomic challenges, even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the deceleration in real GDP growth during the 2008 global financial crisis, LICs on average saw 4.5 percent of real GDP growth during 2000 to 2014, making progress in economic convergence toward higher-income countries. However, the commodity price collapse in 2014–15 hit many commodity-exporting LICs and highlighted their vulnerabilities due to the limited extent of economic diversification. Furthermore, LICs are currently facing a crisis like no other—COVID-19, which requires careful policymaking to save lives and livelihoods in LICs, informed by policy debate and thoughtful research tailored to the COVID-19 situation. There are also other challenges beyond COVID-19, such as climate change, high levels of public debt burdens, and persistent structural issues.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia
Author: International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 49
Release: 2022-08-17
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Selected Issues

Operational Guidance Note On Program Design and Conditionality

Operational Guidance Note On Program Design and Conditionality
Author: International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 179
Release: 2024-01-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

This note aims to provide guidance on the key principles and considerations underlying the design of Fund-supported programs. The note expands on the previous operational guidance notes on conditionality published over 2003-2014, incorporating lessons from the 2018-19 Review of Conditionality, and other recent key policy developments including the recommendation of the Management’s Implementation Plan in response to Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)’s report on growth and adjustment in IMF-supported programs. The note in particular highlights operational advice to (i) improve the realism of macroeconomic forecast in programs and fostering a more systematic analysis of contingency plans and risks; (ii) improve the focus, depth, implementation, and tailoring of structural conditions (SCs), with due consideration of growth effects; and (iii) help strengthen the ownership of country authorities. Designed as a comprehensive reference and primer on program design and conditionality in an accessible and transparent manner, the note refers in summary to a broad range of economic and policy considerations over the lifecycle of Fund-supported programs. As with all guidance notes, the relevant IMF Executive Board Decisions remain the primary legal authority on matters covered in this note.

Market Reforms and Public Debt Dynamics in Emerging Market and Developing Economies

Market Reforms and Public Debt Dynamics in Emerging Market and Developing Economies
Author: Mr. Zamid Aligishiev
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2023-09-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Many emerging market and developing economies face a difficult trade-off between economic support and fiscal sustainability. Market-oriented structural reforms ease this trade-off by promoting economic growth and strengthening public finances. The empirical analysis in this note, based on 62 EMDEs over 1973-2014, shows that reforms are associated with sizeable and long-lasting reductions in the debt-to-GDP ratio mainly through higher fiscal revenues and lower borrowing costs. These effects are larger in countries with greater tax efficiency, lower informality, and higher initial debt. Moreover, a model-based analysis elaborates on how such fiscal gains can be enhanced when revenue windfalls associated with reforms are saved or channeled through higher public investment.

United Republic of Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 47
Release: 2023-04-28
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

United Republic of Tanzania: Selected Issues

Review of Implementation of IMF Commitments in Support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Review of Implementation of IMF Commitments in Support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Author: International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 47
Release: 2019-06-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 149831810X

The IMF is committed to supporting implementation of the 2030 development agenda. The IMF’s primary contribution to global development is to deliver on its mandate to help maintain macroeconomic and financial stability at both the global and national levels. The IMF also supports the development agenda through targeted support for national policies—via policy advice and support for capacity development (CD) in areas where it has specialist expertise.