Albania: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Albania

Albania: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Albania PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1616356855
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 86

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Book Description
Albania’s economy has shown considerable resilience in the face of the 2019 earthquake and the pandemic. After the hardship endured in 2020, real GDP is rebounding strongly by a projected 7.8 percent in 2021. Policies have played a critical role in preserving lives and livelihoods and thereby paving the way for the recovery. The key challenges now are to invest efficiently in people and the economy to support the continued development of the country and to rebuild room for fiscal policy maneuver by lowering the very high fiscal deficit and public debt.

Albania: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Albania

Albania: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Albania PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1616356855
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 86

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Book Description
Albania’s economy has shown considerable resilience in the face of the 2019 earthquake and the pandemic. After the hardship endured in 2020, real GDP is rebounding strongly by a projected 7.8 percent in 2021. Policies have played a critical role in preserving lives and livelihoods and thereby paving the way for the recovery. The key challenges now are to invest efficiently in people and the economy to support the continued development of the country and to rebuild room for fiscal policy maneuver by lowering the very high fiscal deficit and public debt.

Albania

Albania PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 89

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Book Description
Past efforts to build policy buffers and a broadly appropriate macroeconomic policy mix during 2020–21 have helped Albania withstand the impact of consecutive shocks since 2019. Growth is expected to remain solid in 2022 before decelerating in 2023, and inflation is projected to return to the central bank’s target only in 2024. There is considerable uncertainty. Risks to growth are tilted to the downside and risks to inflation are to the upside.

Albania

Albania PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 82

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Book Description
The Albanian economy has emerged as one of the stronger performers in the region. The rising role of tourism has boosted confidence in the country’s prospects, a factor partly reflected in the steady appreciation of the lek. While growth is moderating, it is expected to remain robust at around 31⁄2 and 31⁄4 percent, respectively, in 2023 and 2024. Inflation is gradually declining though it remains above the central bank’s target amid tight labor markets. Medium-term prospects, however, are constrained by structural challenges, including shortfalls in the rule of law and emigration pressures.

Albania

Albania PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 148439660X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
Despite robust GDP growth, projected at 4 percent in 2018, inflation remains below its 3 percent target. The fiscal deficit has stabilized around 2 percent of GDP, implying a modest gradual reduction in public debt, which remains high at close to 70 percent of GDP. Monetary policy was relaxed further in June 2018 following a rapid appreciation of the exchange rate. The current account deficit has moderated over recent years, to about 6.5 percent of GDP. The outlook is mostly positive, with GDP growth projected to converge to 4 percent over the medium term, with inflation stabilizing around its target by 2021. Further fiscal consolidation and an accommodative monetary policy, combined with growth-promoting structural reforms represent the right policy mix.

Albania

Albania PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1484332644
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 90

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Book Description
This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that Albania’s economy continues to strengthen, benefitting from rising domestic demand, large energy-related foreign direct investment (FDI), and a recovery in key European Union (EU) trading partners. The declining output gap and pass-through of higher external inflation have pushed up inflation to just under 2 percent. Short-term external vulnerabilities are limited, as the current account deficit is predominantly funded by concessional borrowing and large FDI inflows, while official foreign reserves are ample. The medium-term outlook remains favorable. GDP growth is projected to accelerate to about 4 percent, driven by continued strong domestic demand, reforms that improve the business climate, and a strengthening EU recovery.

Republic of North Macedonia: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of North Macedonia: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of North Macedonia PDF Author: International Monetary
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description
The economy is rebounding. After a 6 percent drop in 2020, real GDP is projected to grow at 4 percent both in 2021 and 2022, reflecting improved mobility, a return of the diaspora, and continued policy support. With uncertainty remaining high, including about the course of the pandemic, policies need to be kept flexible. Emphasis should be on limiting the economic scars from the pandemic crisis while making progress on long-standing reform priorities such as further strengthening public financial management and revenue administration and buttressing the financial safety net.

Montenegro: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Montenegro

Montenegro: 2021 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Montenegro PDF Author: International Monetary
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 76

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Book Description
COVID-19 hit the economy hard, but a strong recovery is underway. Public debt, already elevated before the pandemic, has increased further. The government has embarked on a reform program ‘Europe Now’, which aims to arrest outward migration through a sharp minimum wage increase, labor tax wedge reduction, and the introduction of a progressive tax code. The financial sector appears to have withstood the COVID-19 shock well.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: 2022 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina: 2022 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Bosnia and Herzegovina PDF Author: International Monetary
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 85

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Book Description
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is facing considerable challenges just as it has rebounded from the Covid-19 pandemic. Spillovers from the war in Ukraine are fueling inflation and weighing on domestic spending and external demand, while domestic political tensions are hampering economic policies and reforms.

Albania

Albania PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513541366
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 34

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Book Description
This paper focuses on Albania’s Request for Purchase Under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI). The RFI provides rapid financial assistance to member countries facing an urgent balance of payments need, without the need for a full-fledged economic program or reviews. A sizeable increase in the fiscal deficit of 2020 is necessary to limit the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It will be critical to ensure adequate spending for healthcare and support for the people and firms that are hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Albanian authorities remain committed to ensuring macroeconomic stability. Once the shocks have been overcome, it will be important to keep public debt on a clear downward path. The IMF staff supports the authorities’ request for financial assistance under the RFI to address the urgent balance of payments need due to exogenous shocks related to the 2019 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. The balance of payments financing need is expected to be temporary.

Albania

Albania PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
ISBN: 9781513562582
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 64

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Book Description
Albania continues to be severely affected by the aftermath of the November 2019 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. The authorities responded promptly to the shocks, and macroeconomic and financial stability have so far been maintained. The economy is expected to contract sharply in 2020, followed by a gradual recovery in 2021-22. The outlook is subject to major uncertainty and rising downside risks as a second wave is gripping many countries in Europe. Albania’s capacity to repay the Fund is adequate, but risks have risen in light of the shocks. Aside from a more severe pandemic, key risks stem from elevated public deficits and debt, weaknesses in public finances, and a relatively high level of non-performing loans (NPLs) and euroization.