## Namibia: 2019 Article IV Consultation-Press Release and Staff Report

_IMF Staff Country Reports, September 13, 2019_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Namibia: 2019 Article IV Consultation-Press Release and Staff Report](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2019/09/12/namibia-2019-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-48675)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2019/09/12/namibia-2019-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-48675/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2019/09/12/namibia-2019-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-48675/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/cr/issues/2019/09/12/namibia-2019-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-48675/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: September 13, 2019
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513513904.002

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### Overview and Outlook
- With the temporary stimuli now ended, the economy is rebalancing while the government is implementing a significant fiscal consolidation.
- The outlook is challenging due to:
  - A likely slow recovery.
  - The need for further fiscal adjustment to bring public debt to a sustainable path.
  - Persistent inequalities and structural impediments to growth.
- Immediate measures are needed to deliver the authorities’ fiscal adjustment plans and bring public debt to a sustainable path.

### Fiscal Policy and Public Debt
- Policy guidance:
  - Combine spending reductions and revenue increases that support long-term growth.
- Fiscal consolidation is underway and needs reinforcement to ensure public debt sustainability.
- Subject areas highlighted: Fiscal consolidation, Fiscal policy, Fiscal stance, Government debt management, Public debt, Public financial management (PFM), Revenue administration.

### Social Protection and Poverty Mitigation
- Recommendation:
  - Better targeting of cash transfers would protect the poor.
- Policy emphasis:
  - Protect vulnerable groups while implementing fiscal consolidation measures.

### Structural Reforms and Competitiveness
- Structural reforms are urgently needed to strengthen productivity and external competitiveness and boost long-term growth.
- Recommended reform areas:
  - Streamline business regulations.
  - Contain public sector wage dynamics.
  - Reduce costs of key production inputs.
- Medium- to long-term priorities:
  - Remove non-tariff barriers to exports.
  - Foster the adoption of new technologies.
  - Address shortages of skilled workers.
- Related structural concerns noted: slowing productivity growth, private sector indebtedness, costs of production inputs, non-tariff export barriers.

### Key Findings and Policy Recommendations (bullet summary)
- Immediate actions:
  - Deliver authorities’ fiscal adjustment plans.
  - Combine spending cuts and revenue measures that do not harm long-term growth.
  - Better target cash transfers to protect the poor.
- Structural agenda:
  - Streamline business regulations.
  - Contain public sector wage dynamics.
  - Reduce costs of key production inputs.
  - Remove non-tariff export barriers.
  - Promote technology adoption and address skills shortages.

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## Content in this bundle

- **1namea2019001**
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  - [1namea2019001 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2019/1namea2019001.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2019/09/12/namibia-2019-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-48675_