01852cas a2200241 a 4500 AALejournalIMF018478 230101c9999 xx r poo 0 0eng d 5.00 USD 9781484357071 1934-7685 BD-DhAAL BD-DhAAL International Monetary Fund. European Dept. Albania : 2018 First Post-Program Monitoring Discussions-Press Release and Staff Report. Washington, D.C. : International Monetary Fund, 2018. 1 online resource (50 pages) IMF Staff Country Reports <strong>Off-Campus Access:</strong> No User ID or Password Required <strong>On-Campus Access:</strong> No User ID or Password Required Electronic access restricted to authorized BRAC University faculty, staff and students This paper discusses First Post-Program Monitoring Discussions in 2018 with Albania. The Albanian economy has continued to strengthen, with real GDP growth at 3.8 percent (year-over-year) during 2017, reflecting strong domestic demand driven by a revival in construction, recovery in the labor market and household credit, and large energy-related foreign direct investment projects. Although the public-debt-to-GDP ratio declined, the pace of fiscal consolidation has slowed post-program, with arrears accumulating. Despite the favorable environment and positive short-term outlook, risks and vulnerabilities remain, emanating from high public debt, non-performing loans in the financial sector, and weaknesses in public institutions and the judicial system. Mode of access: Internet IMF Staff Country Reports; Country Report ; No. 2018/123 Full text available on IMF http://elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2018/123/002.2018.issue-123-en.xml IMF e-Library