Review of Low-Income Country Debt Sustainability Framework and Implications of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI)


Book Description

This paper reviews the experience with the joint IMF-World Bank Debt Sustainability Framework for low-income countries, including cooperation between the staffs, and highlights the implications of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative.




A Review of Some Aspects of the Low-Income Country Debt Sustainability Framework


Book Description

The Bank-Fund Debt Sustainability Framework (DSF) is a standardized framework for analyzing debt-related vulnerabilities in low-income countries (LICs). It aims to help countries monitor their debt burden and take early preventive action, to provide guidance to creditors in ensuring their lending decisions are consistent with countries’ development goals, and to improve the Bank and Fund’s assessments and policy advice. The DSF was last reviewed in 2006, and a reconsideration of some aspects of the framework is timely.




Applying the Debt Sustainability Framework for Low-Income Countries Post Debt Relief


Book Description

In April 2006, the Executive Boards of the Bank and the Fund reviewed the debt sustainability framework (DSF) for low-income countries and the implications of the multilateral debt relief initiative. Directors thought that the DSF was broadly appropriate and that no major changes were warranted, but saw scope for additional guidance on the application of the framework in a context where the apparent borrowing space created by debt relief raises new challenges in terms of policy advice. Most Directors supported a case-by-case approach for assessing the appropriate pace of debt accumulation in countries with debt below the DSF thresholds, but requested the development of specific recommendations on the implementation of such a case-by-case approach.




Debt Sustainability Analyses for Low-Income Countries: An Assessment of Projection Performance


Book Description

This paper develops new error assessment methods to evaluate the performance of debt sustainability analyses (DSAs) for low-income countries (LICs) from 2005-2015. We find some evidence of a bias towards optimism for public and external debt projections, which was most appreciable for LICs with the highest incomes, prospects for market access, and at ‘moderate’ risk of debt distress. This was often driven by overly-ambitious fiscal and/or growth forecasts, and projected ‘residuals’. When we control for unanticipated shocks, we find that biases remain evident, driven in part by optimism regarding government fiscal reaction functions and expected growth dividends from investment.







Malawi


Book Description

Progress on fiscal policy during 2006/07 in Malawi was slower than expected. The 2006/07 (July-June) fiscal strategy focused on reducing domestic debt. In the third Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) review, the end-June target for domestic debt repayments was increased substantially. Domestic borrowing exceeded the adjusted target at end-December 2006 by MK 4.1 billion (0.9 percent of GDP). The government partially redressed this overrun by curtailing discretionary spending in the fourth quarter, as the scale of the end-December overrun became clear.




The Role of the Fund in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and Its Collaboration with Donors


Book Description

This paper proposes an approach to making the MTS operational as it relates to the Fund’s work in LICs that would define more precisely the Fund’s responsibility and accountability in the PRSP and donor collaboration processes. The proposed activities are not “new,” but represent an intensification of existing work and its extension to the all LICs as appropriate. This would help clarify expectations as to the Fund’s role, and establish a consistent institutional approach to collaborating with donors and other stakeholders on the ground.




Republic of Mozambique


Book Description

Mozambique’s strong macroeconomic performance continued in 2005 and early 2006, despite exogenous shocks. Fiscal results were commendable, and all performance criteria through end-March 2006 were met. Although the macroeconomic outlook remains favorable, vigilance will be required, in light of volatile oil prices and unpredictable weather. The main challenges are sustaining broad-based economic growth and making further inroads in alleviating poverty through the implementation of a poverty reduction strategy for 2006–09. The authorities’ commitment to create sufficient fiscal space for priority investments is welcomed.




The Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness in Africa 2013 Promise and Performance


Book Description

The Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness is an exercise in mutual accountability undertaken jointly by the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the OECD following a request of NEPAD Heads of State and Government in 2003.




2018-19 Review of Facilities for Low-Income Countries---Reform Proposals


Book Description

2018-19 Review of Facilities for Low-Income Countries---Reform Proposals: Review Of The Financing Of The Fund’s Concessional Assistance And Debt Relief To Low-Income Member Countries