Sector/Thematic Studies

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Economic and Sectoral Work are original analytic reports authored by the World Bank and intended to influence programs and policy in client countries. They convey Bank-endorsed recommendations and represent the formal opinion of a World Bank unit on the topic. This set includes the sectoral and thematic studies which are not Core Diagnostic Studies. Other analytic and advisory activities (AAA), including technical assistance studies, are included in these sectoral/thematic collections.

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    Republic of Congo - Joint World Bank-IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis Update: July 2019
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2019-07) World Bank ; International Monetary Fund
    Based on an assessment of external public debt indicators and given the continued buildup of external arrears, the Republic of Congo is classified as “in debt distress”. Moreover, despite the recent restructuring agreement with China, public debt remains unsustainable with the net present value of external debt in percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and the external debt service-to-revenue ratios projected to remain above their indicative thresholds in the medium ter
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    Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe: Joint Bank-Fund Debt Sustainability Analysis, 2018 Update
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2018-09-14) International Development Association ; International Monetary Fund
    São Tomé and Príncipe is classified as being in debt distress according to this joint World Bank-IMF low-income country debt sustainability analysis (DSA). This assessment has changed from the previous DSA completed in December 2017 (high risk of external debt distress) due to the prolonged negotiations on rescheduling external arrears. Nonetheless, São Tomé and Príncipe’s debt ratios have improved since the previous DSA. Specifically, the ratio of the present value of public and publicly-guaranteed (PPG) external debt to gross domestic product (GDP) no longer exceeds its threshold under the baseline scenario, due to lower-than-expected loan disbursements in 2017, an appreciation of the euro vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar, and higher-than-expected GDP deflator growth. As in the previous DSA, the debt service ratios stay below their respective thresholds under almost all scenarios. Nevertheless, the ratios of the present value of debt to exports and to revenue still exceed their respective thresholds under the baseline scenario early in the projection period, though they decline over time. This DSA underscores the importance of lowering all PPG external debt indicators below their thresholds by continuing fiscal consolidation, eschewing non-concessional loans, promoting growth, and expanding the export base.
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    Chad: Joint Bank-Fund Debt Sustainability Analysis, 2018 Update
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2018-07-13) International Development Association ; International Monetary Fund
    Following the restructuring of the debt to Glencore and the progress made in clearing external arrears, debt vulnerabilities declined significantly, and the external risk rating has been upgraded to high. The debt sustainability analysis (DSA) shows that all debt burden indicators, except the debt-service-to-revenue ratio which has minor and temporary breaches, are below their respective thresholds in the baseline from 2018 onwards. The debt-service-to-revenue ratio, falls below the threshold in 2019 and remains so throughout the projection period, except for minor breaches in 2020 and 2021. Overall, total public debt vulnerabilities are elevated although the present value (PV) of the public debt-to- gross domestic product (GDP) ratio remains on a downward trajectory. The fixed primary balance scenario, which keeps the primary deficit-to-GDP ratio unchanged from 2017, shows the debt ratio declining at a slower pace throughout the forecast period, further highlighting the need to adhere to the prudent fiscal policy framework underpinning the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported program. Adoption and implementation of an appropriate debt management strategy, while making progress in economic diversification will further reduce vulnerabilities.
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    Central African Republic: Joint Bank-Fund Debt Sustainability Analysis, 2018 Update
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2018-06-26) International Development Association ; International Monetary Fund
    Central African Republic (C.A.R.) continues to be assessed at high risk of external debt distress. This rating is unchanged from the previous analysis and consistent with the staff report of December 2017. Under the baseline scenario, one debt burden indicator breaches its threshold. And stress tests show that both external and total public debt sustainability is vulnerable to slower gross domestic product (GDP), export, and revenue growth. For total public and publicly guaranteed (PPG) debt (external plus domestic), the debt-to-GDP indicator remains below its prudent benchmark. However, the existence of large arrears to suppliers and unpaid public-sector wages in the domestic debt stock justifies the assessment of a heightened overall risk of debt distress. Contingent liabilities can further exacerbate vulnerability concerns. To safeguard debt sustainability, the government’s investment program requires grant financing, with highly concessional debt financing to be considered only in exceptional cases.
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    Madagascar: Joint Bank-Fund Debt Sustainability Analysis, 2018 Update
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2018-06-26) International Development Association ; International Monetary Fund
    Madagascar’s risk of external debt distress is assessed to be moderate, in line with the last debt sustainability analysis (DSA) of June 2017, since the dynamics of Madagascar’s external public and publicly-guaranteed (PPG) debt remain sustainable under the baseline. The public DSA shows total (domestic and external) PPG debt is also sustainable under the baseline, so risks to domestic debt are not assessed as significant. However, stress tests breach the prudent benchmark for the public DSA (covering both domestic and external debt) and, in only some instances, for the external DSA. The analysis suggests that shocks to gross domestic product (GDP) growth are the main potential source of vulnerability, especially for the public DSA. A weaker currency, widened fiscal deficits, lower exports, or higher interest rates present additional risks. This DSA reflects updated and more detailed loan data, which include marginally less favorable financing conditions than in the last DSA.