Montenegro

After a protracted period of consolidation following the global financial crisis, the economy is growing, bolstered by large investment projects. Banking-sector conditions are improving, with credit to the private sector growing, following years of deleveraging. The large cost of constructing the first phase of a highway (one quarter of annual GDP), however, is pushing government debt to high levels. The authorities took significant steps to bolster fiscal sustainability with the 2017 budget and are currently implementing a well-specified fiscal adjustment strategy in line with staff advice. Outlook