Policy Papers
2006
November 6, 2006
Applying the Debt Sustainability Framework for Low-Income Countries Post Debt Relief
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.
October 31, 2006
Safeguards Assessments - 2006 Update
Description: This paper provides Executive Directors with an update of safeguards assessment activities through the first half of 2006. This is the first update report following the review of the safeguards policy in April 2005, when Directors agreed that such reports should be prepared on an annual basis going forward rather than on a semi-annual basis.
October 19, 2006
Draft Revised Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency
Description: The IMF is in the process of revising its 2001 Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency. The four core principles of the original Code remain unchanged in the revision: institutional clarity, open budget processes, public information and integrity. However, the document has been updated and broadened to reflect recent developments and practices. The IMF is requesting public comment on the proposed revised Code. The deadline for comments is November 17, 2006.
October 10, 2006
Exchange Rates and Trade Balance Adjustment in Emerging Market Economies
Description: The paper finds that simple econometric specifications yield surprising rich and complex dynamics -- relative prices respond to the nominal exchange rate and pass-through effects, import and export volumes respond to relative price changes, and the trade balance responds to changes in import and export values.
Notes: The views expressed in this paper are those of the staff and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Board of the IMF.
September 15, 2006
Report of the Managing Director to the International Monetary and Financial Committee on the IMF's Policy Agenda
Description: This report provides an update on the work and direction of the Fund since the 2006 Spring Meetings and for the period ahead. Over the past six months work has concentrated on implementing key aspects of the Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), especially in the areas of surveillance and quotas and voice. In surveillance, the new multilateral consultation has been launched, the Board is reviewing the Fund’s general decision on surveillance (the 1977 Decision on Surveillance over Exchange Rate Policies), and it has discussed the possibility of setting a remit for surveillance based on a set of objectives and priorities. Progress is being made on quotas and voice and specific proposals are contained in the report and resolution from the Executive Board to the Board of Governors. Work in other areas has focused on the role of the Fund in emerging markets and low-income countries (LICs), building institutions and capacity, and managing an effective institution.
September 14, 2006
Report of the Managing Director to the International Monetary and Financial Committee on IMF Quota and Voice Reform
Description: The April 2006 Communiqué of the IMFC called upon the Managing Director to work with the IMFC and the Executive Board to come forward with concrete proposals on IMF quota and voice reform for agreement at the Singapore Annual Meetings in September 2006. An intensive work program on quotas and voice was launched, involving IMF management and staff consultations with a broad spectrum of the membership and discussions in the Executive Board, building on earlier discussions of this issue, including in the context of the IMF’s medium-term strategy. Specific reform proposals were discussed on several occasions by the Executive Board, most recently on August 31, 2006. I am pleased that the Executive Board reached agreement on a comprehensive program of reforms, and recommended that the Board of Governors adopt, by September 18, 2006, a resolution that provides for a two-year plan of action.
September 14, 2006
Progress Report on the Activities of the Independent Evaluation Office
Description: Since its April 2006 Report, the IEO has continued work on three ongoing evaluations. It has considered and discussed a broad list of possible future evaluations with a wide range of stakeholders and announced its decision to add four of these to the IEO work program in the financial year 2007. IEO has also started to follow up on the recommendations of the report of the independent external evaluation of the IEO.
September 14, 2006
Provisional Agenda for the Fourteenth Meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)
Description: Provisional agenda for the Fourteenth Meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, which is to be convened on Sunday, September 17, 2006 in the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore.
September 8, 2006
Mauritius - Assessment Letter in the Context of the Aid for Trade Initiative
Description: This note presents the IMF staff’s assessment of recent macroeconomic developments in Mauritius and the authorities’ reform strategy to address the negative impact of the loss of preferential access for the textile and sugar sectors and to raise potential growth. Drawing on the findings of an IMF staff visit to Mauritius in August 2006, it also updates the most recent staff report on the 2005 Article IV consultation discussed by the Executive Board on December 2, 2005 (published as Country Report No. 06/209.
Notes: Assessment letters or statements may be prepared for member countries with Fund-supported programs; receiving Fund emergency assistance; with staff-monitored programs; or surveillance-only cases. They are typically produced for use by the country with multilateral or bilateral donors or creditors, in particular the World Bank and other International Financial Institutions.
August 30, 2006
Treatment of Exchange Rate Issues in Bilateral Surveillance - A Stocktaking
Description: Review the quality of the Fund staff’s analysis and policy advice on exchange rate issues. The Fund is sometimes criticized for not taking a sufficiently clear position on several exchange rate issues, ranging from the assessment of the level of exchange rates to the description of exchange rate policies, and their adequacy. Is this criticism valid, and in what respect? Answering these questions is critical as exchange rate issues are at the heart of the Fund’s surveillance mandate.