IMF Executive Board Concludes 2014 Discussion on Common Policies of Member Countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency UnionPress Release No. 14/291 June 19, 2014 On June 6, 2014, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the 2014 discussion on the common policies of member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).1 The ECCU’s economy continues to face significant headwinds. The 3-year recession ended in 2012, but the recovery has been listless. This year, the economy is expected to grow by 1.3 percent, up from 0.5 percent in 2013, but well below the pre-crisis average of 3.8 percent. Limited fiscal space and excessive public debt, financial sector stress, and weak external competiveness continue to hold back economic recovery. Inflation is expected to remain subdued at 1.7 percent. Risks to this outlook are high, stemming in particular from stress in the region’s financial sector and member countries’ fiscal pressures. Executive Board Assessment Executive Directors noted that economic recovery in the ECCU continues to be slow and faces significant challenges, while the policy space is limited. Directors underlined the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities associated with unsustainable public debt, financial sector stress, and weak external competitiveness. They agreed that the region’s growth and resilience would benefit from deeper regional cooperation, particularly in the areas of tax policies, fiscal frameworks, infrastructure, and financial sector strategies, taking advantage of technical assistance from international institutions and other development partners. Directors emphasized the need for ambitious, credible medium term fiscal consolidation to put public debt on a sustainable path and create the fiscal space for counter cyclical policies in the context of the quasi currency board arrangement. A strong fiscal framework at the regional level, supported by effective monitoring and enforcing mechanisms, would help underpin these consolidation efforts and promote durable fiscal discipline. Directors recommended a two pronged approach to reducing fiscal imbalances. On the expenditure side, they saw scope to reduce the wage bill and budget transfers to state owned enterprises, while better prioritizing public investment and consolidating government functions through broader regional collaboration. On the revenue side, a coordinated regional strategy is needed to streamline tax incentives, reduce intra regional tax competition, and enhance transparency in tax systems. Directors underscored the need for prudent management of citizenship by investment programs, backed by strong due diligence and a transparent operational framework. Directors agreed that a comprehensive regional strategy is vital to strengthen financial stability and avoid contingent fiscal risks. They welcomed the authorities’ plan to conduct banking sector diagnostics, including asset quality reviews. Directors urged swift implementation of bank restructuring and resolution strategies, seeking private sector solutions where feasible to minimize fiscal costs while continuing to preserve public confidence in the banking system. They also encouraged further efforts to strengthen the supervision of financial institutions and to enhance the legal and regulatory framework in line with international best practices. Directors stressed the need for continued structural reforms aimed at improving productivity, cost efficiency, and the investment climate in order to boost potential growth. They noted that restoring price competitiveness under the exchange rate peg requires internal devaluation—through restraint in real wage growth, reforms to reduce transportation and energy costs, and labor market reforms more broadly. Strengthened collaboration among the governments would help ease the region’s capacity constraints and improve economies of scale. Directors looked forward to further progress in implementing the recommendations of the Caribbean Growth Forum, with a view to promoting economic diversification and private sector development.
Posted on: Mon, 23 Jun 2014 13:57:17 +0000
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