The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia: 2007 Article IV Consultation: Staff Report; Staff Supplement; Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Abstract

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s 2007 Article IV Consultation reports on the macroeconomic imbalances and on maintaining medium-term macroeconomic stability while fostering growth potential. Although agriculture continues to be the mainstay of the economy, the expansion has been broad-based, with manufacturing, construction, and services making significant contributions. Expansion of domestic credit has continued to be brisk, reflecting a pickup in private sector economic activity and increasingly negative real interest rates. A critical challenge for Ethiopia is to strike a judicious balance between demand-dampening measures and growth-enhancing structural reforms.