Download or read book Belize 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Belize written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-06-07 with total page 57 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Belize has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a deep recession and worsened fiscal and external positions from already weak levels. The opposition People’s United Party won the November 2020 elections by a wide margin, which gives the new government a unique opportunity to jump start much needed reforms to reduce large imbalances and anchor strong and inclusive growth.
Download or read book Belize written by International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2023-05-12 with total page 67 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Outlook and Risks. Economic activity is projected to moderate after a strong recovery from the pandemic. After growing by 15 percent in 2021 and 12 percent in 2022, real GDP is projected to grow by 2.4 percent in 2023 and 2.0 percent over the medium term as spare capacity is exhausted. Revenue growth and fiscal consolidation have increased the primary balance to 1.2 percent of GDP from FY2022 onwards, which is projected to reduce public debt from 64 percent of GDP in 2022 to 53 percent in 2028. Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside, including a sharp slowdown in advanced economies, further increases in commodity prices, and climate-related disasters.
Download or read book Guatemala 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Guatemala written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-06-11 with total page 69 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Guatemala has managed to keep infections and deaths moderate during the pandemic. The economic impact of COVID-19 has been mild given an early reopening of the economy, unprecedented policy support, and resilient remittances and exports. However, despite large-scale government interventions to support households, poverty and malnutrition have deteriorated following COVID-19 and the two major hurricanes battering Guatemala last November.
Download or read book Belize written by International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2019-12-09 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This 2019 Article IV Consultation with Belize focused on structural reforms to raise growth and social inclusion; strengthening resilience to natural disasters; balanced medium-term fiscal consolidation; tax reform; and strengthening financial oversight and anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism actions. Public debt remains above 90 percent of gross domestic product, the current account deficit is projected to remain large over the medium term, and international reserves are just below three months of imports of goods and services. The pace of structural reform has been slow. Downside risks, including from slower US growth, natural disasters, crime, and renewed pressures on correspondent banking relationships could weaken growth and financial stability. Belize is adapting its tax regime in response to concerns from multilateral institutions regarding potentially harmful features. Sustaining Belize’s recent economic expansion, spurring private investment, and facilitating structural diversification hinges on strengthening the business environment.
Download or read book Belize 2022 Article IV Consultation Press Release and Staff Report written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2022-05-10 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on Belize in 2020, leading to a 16.7 percent contraction in real GDP and a rise in public debt to an unsustainable level of 133 percent of GDP. To address this situation, the government presented a medium-term plan to lower public debt to 85 percent of GDP in 2025 and 70 percent in 2030 by implementing fiscal consolidation, structural reforms, and debt restructuring. Significant progress towards restoring debt sustainability was made in 2021.
Download or read book Belize written by International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2024-05-15 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Outlook and Risks. Real GDP growth and inflation moderated in 2023 and are projected to decline further over the medium term as the output gap closes and global commodity prices fall. The fiscal position remains robust, but debt dynamics have become more challenging due to the increase in the interest rate – growth differential, with public debt projected to remain above 50 percent of GDP over the next decade. Risks to the outlook include further increases in commodity prices and climate-related disasters.
Download or read book Belize written by International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2018-11-16 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Belize’s economic growth has slowed over the last five years, following decades of outperforming regional peers. As in other countries in the region, a central challenge is exiting the cycle of low growth and elevated public debt. Belize’s 2017 debt rescheduling provided cash flow relief. In March 2017, the government reached a restructuring agreement with private external bondholders on its US$526 million bond (about 30 percent of GDP).1 As part of the agreement, the authorities committed to tighten the fiscal stance by 3.0 percentage points in FY2017/18 and to maintain a primary surplus of 2.0 percent of GDP for the subsequent three years. The authorities are delivering on these commitments and have made progress in implementing recent Article IV recommendations (Annex I).
Download or read book Belize written by International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2017-09-19 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The macroeconomic outlook remains weak. Public debt remains elevated, at around 100 percent of GDP, despite a recent debt restructuring agreement with private external bondholders. Growth is projected at just under 2 percent over the medium term. The envisaged tightening of the fiscal stance reflected in the budget for FY2017/18, of 4 percentage points of GDP, is an important first step toward fiscal consolidation, but would not be sufficient to put public debt on a decisive downward trajectory. Withdrawal of Correspondent Banking Relationships (CBRs) and low capital buffers, particularly in a systemic bank, are key threats to financial stability.
Download or read book Mauritius 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Mauritius written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-06-28 with total page 69 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Economic Impact of the Pandemic and Policy Responses. Mauritius has been successful in containing the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to strict health measures but the halt in tourism has significantly affected its tourism-dependent economy. A comprehensive set of stimulus measures to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, including a wage subsidy and income support for the self-employed, have provided support to firms and households.
Download or read book Federated States of Micronesia 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for the Federated States of Micronesia written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-11 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures have put severe strains on the economy. The economic policy response has been strong and generally appropriate, helping counter the negative effects of the pandemic. Nevertheless, as the international borders remain shut, the economic contraction is likely to deepen in FY2021. A slow recovery is expected for FY2022 driven by a gradual border reopening. The FSM is facing significant medium-term uncertainty, owing to the possible expiration of grants and other assistance provided under the Compact Agreement with the United States. The FSM is also highly vulnerable to climate change-induced natural disasters.
Download or read book St Kitts and Nevis 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for St Kitts and Nevis written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-10-28 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: St. Kitts and Nevis entered the Covid-19 pandemic from a position of fiscal strength following nearly a decade of budget surpluses. A significant part of the large CBI revenues was prudently saved, reducing public debt below the regional debt target of 60 percent of GDP and supporting accumulation of large government deposits.
Download or read book Republic of the Marshall Islands 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Republic of the Marshall Islands written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-05-27 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Strong and timely containment measures have successfully prevented a domestic COVID-19 outbreak but have also weighed on economic activity. The real GDP is estimated to have contracted by 3.3 percent in FY2020 and is projected to further decline by another 1.5 percent in FY 2021 due to continued travel restrictions. Economic activity is expected to pick up in FY2022, as COVID-related restrictions will be relaxed gradually. The government is currently negotiating the renewal of Compact of Free Association (COFA) financial provisions with the United States, but terms remain uncertain. The government is considering to repeal the SOV Act and a bill on establishing a Digital Economic Zone was submitted to the Parliament recently.
Download or read book Belize written by International Monetary Fund and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2009-02-24 with total page 31 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The staff report for Belize’s use of Fund Resources and Request for Emergency Assistance is examined. Economic growth has been sustained largely by rising oil production, while inflation has remained under control. Despite rising oil production, economic growth has been low in 2007, in part because of the impact of Hurricane Dean. The authorities are confident that the banking system is stable and adequately capitalized, and largely insulated from international market turmoil.
Download or read book Belize written by International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2016-03-28 with total page 87 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper discusses key issues of the Belize economy. The economic condition of Belize is characterized by sluggish growth and a weak fiscal stance, which have put public debt on an unsustainable path. Social and poverty challenges remain significant. The unemployment rate remains high compared with its 2008 level of 8 percent, despite a reduction to 12.1 percent in September 2014 from 14.2 percent in September 2013. Per capita GDP remains far below its regional peers. This paper also focuses on measures that would signal credible commitment to fiscal consolidation, strengthen the financial system, and boost economic, growth taking into account constraints on human and financial resources.
Download or read book Trinidad and Tobago 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Trinidad and Tobago written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2022-03-10 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Trinidad and Tobago faced unprecedented challenges in 2020–21. The combined effects of COVID-19 and energy production and price shocks pushed the economy further into recession. A decisive policy response helped contain the virus spread and protect lives and livelihoods. The fiscal position worsened due to significant tax revenues shortfalls, pushing public debt up. The vaccination pace accelerated recently, but vaccine hesitancy remains high, amid a potential new wave of infections.
Download or read book Belize written by International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2016-10-27 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Growth is expected to average less than 2 percent in the medium-term. The envisaged fiscal adjustment would remain insufficient to significantly reduce the very high public debt. Large external imbalances, driven by large current account deficits, repayment of the super bond and remaining payments for the nationalized telecommunication company (BTL), would reduce international reserves to uncomfortable levels. The further withdrawal by global banks of correspondent relationships with Belizean banks and low capital buffers in some banks are key threats to financial stability. Insufficient fiscal adjustment and weaknesses in the banking system are significant risks.
Download or read book Belize Staff Report for the Article IV Consultation written by and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
