Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe: Third Review of the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria and Modification and Deletion of Performance Criteria Staff Report;

This paper discusses key findings of the Third Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility for São Tomé and Príncipe. Structural reforms are progressing. Five of six structural benchmarks through September 2006 were met. The authorities strengthened public financial management (PFM) and laid the basis for tax reform and actions against money laundering. The 2007 agenda includes implementing a pilot PFM system and strengthening the environment for private sector activity. The draft 2007 budget shows significant consolidation efforts, given less favorable prospects for oil bonuses and the need to increase pro-poor spending.