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Making Fiscal Space Happen: Managing Fiscal Policy in a World of Scaled-Up Aid

Author

Listed:
  • Mr. Xavier Debrun
  • Mr. Peter S. Heller
  • Mr. Theo Thomas
  • Mr. Menachem Katz
  • Ms. Isabell Adenauer
  • Miss Taline Koranchelian

Abstract

Debt relief and the scaling up of aid to low-income countries should allow for greater fiscal space for expenditure programs to create long-term growth and lower poverty rates. But designing a suitable medium-term fiscal framework that fosters a sustainable delivery of better public services and infrastructure while maintaining a credible commitment to fiscal prudence confronts many challenges. This paper discusses what low-income countries can do to shape fiscal policy frameworks that are ambitious in trying to absorb additional aid while still ensuring longer-term sustainability for government expenditure programs and finances. It suggests what approaches can be used to manage the greater fiscal policy risks associated with a scaled-up aid environment, including coordination with monetary policy. The paper also discusses what institutional changes are needed if donors and countries are to facilitate the implementation of a higher level of aid-financed spending programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Xavier Debrun & Mr. Peter S. Heller & Mr. Theo Thomas & Mr. Menachem Katz & Ms. Isabell Adenauer & Miss Taline Koranchelian, 2006. "Making Fiscal Space Happen: Managing Fiscal Policy in a World of Scaled-Up Aid," IMF Working Papers 2006/270, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2006/270
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Devarajan, Shantayanan & Go, Delfin S. & Page, John & Robinson, Sherman & Thierfelder, Karen, 2008. "Aid, growth, and real exchange rate dynamics," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4480, The World Bank.
    2. Djedje Hermann YOHOU, 2015. "In Search of Fiscal Space in Africa: The Role of the Quality of Government Spending," Working Papers 201527, CERDI.
    3. Sanjeev Gupta, 2008. "Enhancing Effective Utilization of Aid in Fragile States," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2008-07, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. Strand, Jon, 2009. ""Revenue management"effects related to financial flows generated by climate policy," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5053, The World Bank.
    5. Ms. Anja Baum & Andrew Hodge & Ms. Aiko Mineshima & Ms. Marialuz Moreno Badia & Rene Tapsoba, 2017. "Can They Do It All? Fiscal Space in Low-Income Countries," IMF Working Papers 2017/110, International Monetary Fund.
    6. David Fielding & George Mavrotas, 2008. "Aid Volatility and Donor–Recipient Characteristics in ‘Difficult Partnership Countries’," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 75(299), pages 481-494, August.
    7. Mr. Jan Kees Martijn & Markus Berndt & Abu Shonchoy & Mr. Paolo Dudine, 2008. "The Spending and Absorption of Aid in PRGF Supported Programs," IMF Working Papers 2008/237, International Monetary Fund.
    8. Cecilia Briceño-Garmendia & Karlis Smits & Viven Foster, 2009. "Financing Public Infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Bank Publications - Reports 28238, The World Bank Group.
    9. Nataliya Synyutka & Anatolii Lutsyk, 2018. "Transformation of Fiscal Policy and Fiscal Space under Conditions of Digital Technologies Expansion," Oblik i finansi, Institute of Accounting and Finance, issue 4, pages 108-113, December.

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