Country Reports
2024
May 13, 2024
Japan: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Japan
Description: The Japanese economy continues to grow after the pandemic, with broad-based price increases following three decades of low inflation. The “new form of capitalism” agenda and children-related policies are key priorities for the Kishida administration, but the fiscal burden has increased.
May 13, 2024
Japan: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Technical Note on Regulation and Supervision of Fintech
Description: This technical note reviews the functioning and effectiveness of the regulation, supervision, and systemic risk monitoring of fintech in Japan. It focuses on the institutional arrangements for fintech monitoring, as well as the approach that the Japanese authorities have taken to review the regulatory perimeter around fintech-related issues, noting regulatory amendments on digital payments, banking, and crypto assets most notably. On crypto assets, the note reviews the regulatory framework in Japan, and the approach of the Financial Services Agency (FSA) to licensing and supervision of crypto exchanges. The note sets out a series of recommendations to further strengthen the domestic regulatory, supervisory, and risk monitoring frameworks.
May 13, 2024
Japan: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Technical Note on Financial Supervision and Regulation of Climate Related Issues
Description: The government of Japan has pledged to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the coming decade. Japan is among the largest greenhouse gas emitting economies in the world exposing it to significant transition risk. Although Japan’s overall exposure to physical risk is considered as very high due to the changing climate and the impact of the predicted increase in the frequency and severity of natural catastrophes, its overall vulnerability to physical risks is relatively low because of its strong capacity to cope with such risks. In accordance with the United Nations Climate Change Convention, Japan has set an interim target to reduce GHG emissions by 46 percent from 2013 levels until 2030, with an objective of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. To realize this ambitious goal, Japan enacted the Green Transformation (GX) Promotion Act in May 2023 and laid out, based on the law, a comprehensive strategy to facilitate the transition to a net zero GHG economy.
May 10, 2024
Pakistan: Second and Final Review Under the Stand-by Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Pakistan
Description: The signs of economic stabilization are strengthening, with gradual disinflation underway and external pressures easing further since the first review on the back of improved fiscal balances. However, the outlook remains challenging, with downside risks remaining exceptionally high.
May 10, 2024
Kiribati: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kiribati
Description: 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.
May 10, 2024
Haiti: Staff-Monitored Program-Extension and Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Building on progress achieved under the previous SMP which ended in May 2023, on June 29, 2023, Management approved a new Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for a nine-month period spanning from June 30 through March 31, 2024.
May 9, 2024
Nigeria: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; Staff Statement; and Statement by the Executive Director for Nigeria
Description: Over the last decade, Nigeria’s growth has just about kept up with population dynamics. Poverty has increased, and food insecurity is rising. The government is constrained by low domestic revenue mobilization. Governance problems remain pervasive. The external environment—cost of financing—remains difficult, high oil and gas prices notwithstanding. The new administration has set out on an ambitious reform path to restore macroeconomic stability and develop a pro-growth reform agenda.
May 7, 2024
Montenegro
Description: The Montenegrin economy has rebounded strongly from the COVID-19 shock as private consumption grew, tourism recovered, and an influx of relatively affluent Russian and Ukrainian nationals due to Russia’s war in Ukraine has also contributed to growth. While debt-to-GDP ratios have improved largely due to nominal effects, fiscal weaknesses remain. After prolonged political uncertainty, a new coalition government formed in October 2023. Thereafter, a new Central Bank (CBCG) Governor was appointed in December 2023.