Concluye misión del FMI en San Cristóbal y Nieves

IMF concludes mission to St Kitts-Nevis

An International Monetary Fund mission (IMF), led by Judith Gold, visited St Kitts and Nevis during January 20-31 to hold discussions on the 2014 Article IV Consultation and to conduct the seventh and eighth reviews under the three-year stand-by arrangement (SBA).

The program was approved on July 27, 2011 in a total amount equivalent to SDR 52.51 million (US$84 million).

At the conclusion of the visit, Gold issued the following statement:

“There has been considerable progress under the authorities’ economic reform program. After a four-year contraction of economic activity there were firm signs of a recovery in 2013. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 1.7 percent with a pickup in tourism and construction, notwithstanding declines in the manufacturing and communications sectors. Employment also picked up, with number of total employees up by 10.2 percent and wages up by 5.1 percent in the first half of 2013. Inflation has remained low at 0.6 percent through end-October (y/y). Notwithstanding the challenges associated with the prolonged recession and the debt restructuring, the financial system has remained stable. The recovery in tourism receipts and strong increase in Citizenship by Investment (CBI) application fees contributed to a narrowing of the current account deficit from over 20 percent prior to 2011 to about 11-12 percent in 2012 and 2013. The improved current account, together with strong capital inflows has significantly strengthened the external position. International reserves have increased since the start of the SBA from 5-months-of-imports to over 8 months at end-November 2013 (or 6 months excluding IMF disbursements).

“The fiscal position has substantially improved, from a deficit of 7.8 percent of GDP in 2010 to a projected surplus of 8.6 percent in 2013. The stronger fiscal performance reflects policy efforts to contain expenditures, strengthen revenues, including the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT), interest cost savings from debt restructuring, as well as substantial CBI inflows. The improved fiscal situation allowed for the 13th month wage payment in September 2013 after a nominal wage freeze since 2010. Consequently, performance under the SBA remains broadly on track. The fiscal targets for end-June and end-September 2013 have been met, although there are delays in the implementation of structural reforms through end-2013.

“Growth in 2014 is expected to accelerate to 2.5-3 percent, with the continued recovery in tourism — supported by an increase in air lift capacity — and ongoing construction activity fueled by CBI related inflows and other Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects. Over the medium-term, the economy is expected to continue to recover and reach its potential growth rate of about 3-3.5 percent. After being subdued in 2013 and 2014, inflation is expected to pick up slightly, mirroring the recovery of domestic demand. The external position is projected to remain strong bolstered by tourism receipts, CBI inflows and other FDI.

«Continued fiscal discipline will be needed over the medium-term to achieve the authorities’ public debt target of 60 percent of GDP by 2020. While CBI receipts could support a more expansionary fiscal stance, relying on these windfall flows for recurrent spending could lead to an unsustainable fiscal position in the future. Instead, the inflows provide a unique opportunity to build fiscal buffers, including to provide for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction after natural disasters, increase public investment in infrastructure stabilize the economy during downturns, and repay expensive debt. Moreover, careful management is needed to sustain the inflows, ensure that they contribute to increasing productive capacity and that they do not undermine the “St. Kitts and Nevis brand.”

“The mission and the authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the quantitative targets and on policies for the completion of the seventh and eighth review under the SBA. Discussions and understandings centered on policies to safeguard achievements so far and continue with the fiscal reform efforts. To support this goal while boosting fiscal space for social and development spending, the authorities will continue to contain expenditures, including limiting new contingent liabilities, strengthening public financial management, and improving the oversight of government enterprises. The government will also continue with reforms to strengthen tax administration, strengthening audit and enforcement process, and containing tax exemptions. The government also is committed to complete the debt restructuring. This staff-level agreement is subject to review by the management and Executive Board of the IMF.”

The mission met with the prime minister, the premier of Nevis, the financial secretary of St Kitts, the permanent secretary of finance NIA, other senior government and ECCB officials, as well as representatives of the banking and business community.

http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-IMF-concludes-mission-to-St-Kitts-Nevis-19720.html