Download or read book Vanuatu 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Vanuatu written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-09-14 with total page 95 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Border closures and other pandemic containment measures have kept Vanuatu free from COVID-19. However, they have dealt a heavy blow to economic activity as tourism has come to a virtual halt. On top of the pandemic, Tropical Cyclone Harold and a volcanic eruption in Tanna Island caused extensive economic damage in 2020. In the context of a continued loss of correspondent banking relationships (CBRs) in the Pacific, Vanuatu also lost a key CBR at end-June 2021. Air Vanuatu, one of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), is in the process of being restructured.
Download or read book Tuvalu 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Tuvalu written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-08-04 with total page 95 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Swift implementation of containment measures, limited spillovers from tourism, and COVID-related fiscal spending financed by buoyant fishing revenues and donor grants have allowed Tuvalu—a fragile Pacific micro-state—avoid a recession in 2020. The economy is expected to expand by 2.5 percent in 2021, supported by fiscal expenditures and resumption of infrastructure projects. But significant challenges remain: Tuvalu is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, its economy is dominated by the public sector, and its revenue base is narrow. Uncertainty around donor commitments complicates fiscal planning.
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 Solomon Islands written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2018-03-05 with total page 83 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of the Solomon Islands grew by 3.5 percent in 2016 driven by a peak in the forestry sector. Growth remained solid in 2017 and is projected at 3.0 for 2018, buoyed by infrastructure spending, fisheries and agriculture, although logging production is slowing down. Inflation is contained at an annual rate of just 1.6 percent in October 2017. The current account deficit has widened a little but international reserves levels are comfortable. The fiscal deficit is expected to have reached 4.0 percent of GDP in 2017 and to widen further in 2018. The risks to the economy are on the downside with the weakening fiscal position heightening vulnerability to shocks.
Download or read book Timor Leste 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Timor Leste written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-07-14 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although Timor-Leste has made considerable progress in many areas since its independence in 2002, it faces significant medium-term challenges. The nation has pressing development needs, young institutions, and is highly dependent on oil. Oil revenues from active fields, which have been the main source of funding for government spending, are drying up. The non-oil private sector economy remains underdeveloped and lack of good jobs and high youth unemployment are serious concerns.
Download or read book Republic of Nauru 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Nauru written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2022-02-07 with total page 67 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Early and decisive measures successfully prevented an outbreak of COVID-19 in Nauru, and as of January 2022 there have been no COVID-19 cases on the island. Strong pandemic policy measures supported the economy, which continued to expand in FY20 and FY21. Nauru’s remoteness and size constrain potential growth and it is severely exposed to the negative effects of climate change on sea levels and the ocean stock of tuna. Development challenges are exacerbated by limited capacity and a high incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Download or read book Solomon Islands written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2018-11-08 with total page 77 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Solomon Islands has made substantial progress since the Tensions in the early 2000s but faces considerable economic and governance challenges and is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. The logging industry confronts depletion and new sources of growth are needed. Governance challenges are significant, stemming from weak oversight of the resource sectors, a lack of transparency and a need to strengthen public financial management.
Download or read book Tonga written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2022-08-26 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tonga’s nascent economic recovery following Tropical Cyclone Harold and border closures in early 2020 has been severely disrupted by a double blow from the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption and the first local outbreak of COVID-19 at the start of 2022. The authorities are augmenting reconstruction and restoration efforts, with support from the international community. Real GDP is projected to contract by 1.9 percent in FY2022 (July 2021–June 2022), before rebounding by 3.2 percent in FY2023 with a gradual reopening of international borders.
Download or read book Tuvalu written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2023-07-21 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 2023 Article IV Consultation discusses that a successful vaccination strategy allowed Tuvalu to lift coronavirus disease (COVID) containment measures at the end of 2022, but the economic cost of the pandemic has been significant. Real gross domestic product growth was -4.3 percent in 2020, with at-the-border containment measures leading to delays in much-needed infrastructure projects. Growth is expected to accelerate as the lifting of COVID restrictions leads to the resumption of construction activity, shipping bottlenecks ease and the trade and hospitality sectors recover. Tuvalu is among the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change; its remote economy is dominated by the public sector; and its revenue base is narrow, with reliance on donor commitments further complicating fiscal planning. The economic setback due to the pandemic makes addressing these significant structural challenges more difficult. The report recommends promoting fiscal sustainability and building buffers by mobilizing revenues and rationalizing current expenditures.
Download or read book Kiribati 2024 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for Kiribati written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2024-05-10 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Kiribati’s economy recovered strongly from the pandemic on the back of supportive fiscal measures including subsidies, grants, and (most recently) an increase in civil service wages. Inflation, which has decelerated from its recent peak, is projected to pick up again mainly due to increased domestic demand. Kiribati is among the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. Infrastructure gaps compound already challenging constraints imposed by distance and dispersion, limiting the development of the private sector in the state-dominated economy, and cementing its reliance on imports, especially for essential commodities such as food and fuel.
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 Federated States of Micronesia written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2024-03-04 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Economic growth has been volatile since the Covid-19 pandemic, and inflation reached decade-high levels mainly due to higher prices of imported food and energy. High vulnerability to climate change is also intensifying food security concerns. Despite the weak domestic economy, the fiscal and external current accounts posted large surpluses, partly thanks to foreign grants and taxes paid by foreign firms. The high uncertainty around medium-term external financing and economic prospects diminished significantly with the signing of a new Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreement between the FSM and the United States government, which includes larger grants for the next 20 years and will enable much needed public investment and reforms. However, the agreement still needs to be ratified by the US Congress.
Download or read book Democratic Republic of Timor Leste written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2024-02-27 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Timor-Leste has made impressive progress since independence in 2002 but remains a fragile post-conflict nation with pressing development needs. With oil and gas production having recently come to a halt, progress on diversifying the economy and developing the private sector is urgently needed. Fiscal deficits are financed by the country’s considerable Petroleum Fund savings, but regular large withdrawals are expected to lead to its full depletion by the end of the 2030s. A new coalition government—formed following parliamentary elections in May 2023—targets higher growth and achieving fiscal sustainability.
Download or read book Republic of Palau written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2023-12-21 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Palau has emerged from the pandemic with significant output loss, elevated public debt and historically high inflation. Adverse demographic trends, high dependence on tourism and external support, and vulnerability to climate change risks raise vulnerabilities. The authorities successfully enacted a fiscal responsibility framework and modernized the tax system. A new Compact Review Agreement (CRA-23), with better financial terms, is awaiting approval by US Congress.
Download or read book Women Business and the Law 2021 written by World Bank and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2021-04-05 with total page 381 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Women, Business and the Law 2021 is the seventh in a series of annual studies measuring the laws and regulations that affect women’s economic opportunity in 190 economies. The project presents eight indicators structured around women’s interactions with the law as they move through their lives and careers: Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension. This year’s report updates all indicators as of October 1, 2020 and builds evidence of the links between legal gender equality and women’s economic inclusion. By examining the economic decisions women make throughout their working lives, as well as the pace of reform over the past 50 years, Women, Business and the Law 2021 makes an important contribution to research and policy discussions about the state of women’s economic empowerment. Prepared during a global pandemic that threatens progress toward gender equality, this edition also includes important findings on government responses to COVID-19 and pilot research related to childcare and women’s access to justice.
Download or read book Republic of the Marshall Islands written by International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2023-10-16 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Real GDP declined by 4.5 percent in FY2022 due entirely to a decline in fisheries. However, excluding the sector, growth was 4.2 percent, fueled by a recovery in domestic demand. Inflation has picked up due to higher food and fuel prices, while the current account surplus narrowed as COVID-related grants declined and the trade deficit widened.
Download or read book Republic of Fiji 2021 Article IV Consultation Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Fiji written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-12-03 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fiji has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic—with infection rates at one point among the highest in the world. Despite swift action by the government to close borders, protect the population, and mitigate the worst economic effects, the economic contraction was the worst in Fiji’s history. The crisis has come at a heavy social cost, including large-scale layoffs, surging unemployment, and high non-performing loans. Multilateral and bilateral support has been critical in helping Fiji weather the worst of the crisis and has facilitated a strong government response—including rapid acceleration of the government vaccination program underpinning Fiji’s reopening to international tourism.
