安提瓜和巴布达：2026年第四条磋商新闻稿；员工报告；安提瓜和巴布达执行主任的发言

2026ARTICLE IV CONSULTATION;PRESS RELEASE;STAFF REPORT;ANDSTATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVEDIRECTORFOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussionswith members, usually every year.In the context of the2026Article IVConsultation,thefollowing documents have been released and are included in this package: •APress Releasesummarizing the views of the Executive Board as expressed during itsMay 4, 2026, consideration of the staff report that concluded the Article IVconsultation withAntigua and Barbuda. •TheStaff Reportprepared by a staff team of the IMF for the Executive Board’sconsiderationon May 4, 2026,following discussions that ended onJanuary30, 2026,with the officials ofAntigua and Barbudaoneconomic developments and policies.Based on information available at the time of these discussions, the staff report wascompleted onMarch18,2026. •AStaffSupplementupdating information on recent developments. •AnInformational Annexprepared by the IMF staff. •AStatement by the Executive Directorfor Antigua and Barbuda. TheIMF’s transparency policy allows for the deletion of market-sensitive information andpremature disclosure of the authorities’ policy intentions in published staff reports andother documents. Copies of this report are available to the public fromInternational Monetary Fund•Publication ServicesPO Box 92780•Washington, D.C. 20090Telephone: (202) 623-7430•Fax: (202) 623-7201E-mail:publications@imf.org Web:http://www.imf.org International Monetary FundWashington, D.C. IMF Executive Board Concludes2026Article IV ConsultationwithAntigua and Barbuda FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, DC–May7, 2026:OnMay 4, 2026, the Executive Board of the InternationalMonetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation1withAntigua and Barbuda.Theauthorities have consentedtothe publication of the Staff Report prepared for thisconsultation.2 Antigua and Barbuda’s economic expansion continues. Real GDP grew by anestimated3percentin2025, supported by a pick-up in construction despiteslowingtourismactivity.Employment has gradually recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Inflation moderatedfrom over6percent(year-average)in 2024 to1.4 percent in 2025. Public debt as a share of GDP declined from 101 percent of GDP in 2020 to an estimated68percent in 2025,aided by an improvedfiscalposition.However,arrearstoParis Clubcreditorsand domestic suppliersare significantandgross financing needs are elevated.Thefiscal position strengthened in 2024–25, reflecting both improved tax collection and one-offfactors. The 2025 primary balance is estimated atnearly 5percent of GDP, underpinned byhigher tax revenues, stronger inflows under the Citizenship-by-Investment Program (CIP),restraint in current spending, and a modest increase in capital spending. Following a sharp narrowing in 2024, thecurrent account deficitin 2025returned to trendandis estimatedaround 11½ percent of GDP. The deficit was predominantly financed by foreigndirect investment (FDI), and partly by CIP-related inflows.The overall financial systemremains stable and liquid. Asteady economic expansionisprojectedto continue,but risks are tilted tothedownsideamid heightened global uncertainty. Downside risks stemexternallyfromcommodity price volatility andaslowdown in major trading partnersand,domestically,fromcapacityconstraintsweighingon growth. Upside potential could materialize from stronger tourism demand,improved connectivity, and productivity-enhancing reforms. Executive Board Assessment3 Executive Directors welcomed Antigua and Barbuda’s continued economic expansion,supported by construction activity and resilient tourism, alongside a welcome moderation ofinflation. Noting the downside risks from the war in the Middle East and the country’s long-standing debt challenges, Directors called for additional reforms to restore debt sustainabilityand to strengthen potential growth and climate resilience.Tailored and well-sequencedcapacity development by the Fund remains important given the country’s capacity constraints. Directors welcomed the decline in public debt as a share of GDP. Noting that persistentarrears and elevated gross financing needs are constraining access to longer‑term financingand undermining debt sustainability, Directors urged the authorities to develop and implementa credible and comprehensive strategy for addressing all arrears, broadening financingoptions, and making space for resilience-building investments. Directors also noted the needto continue strengthening cash and debt management to prevent future arrears. Directors underscored the need for further revenue mobilization to rebuild fiscal buffers andmeet the authorities’ fiscal objectives. To build on recent gains, Directors recommendedbroadening the tax base, curtailing exemptions, restraining current expenditures, andstrengthening the targeting of social assistance. Directors also encouraged the authorities tocontinue efforts to strengt