Press Release No. 12/100

Press Release No. 12/100
March 22, 2012

A Fund mission visited Jamaica during March 8–21, 2012 to conduct the Article IV Consultation and initiate discussions on a possible Fund supported economic program. The mission met with the Prime Minister Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Finance Hon. Peter Phillips, Bank of Jamaica Governor Brian Wynter, Financial Secretary Wesley Hughes, senior government officials, and representatives of the private sector and civil society. At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Luis Breuer, the Fund’s mission chief for Jamaica, issued the following statement today in Kingston:

“Recent macroeconomic developments have been mixed. Following three consecutive years of negative growth, real GDP grew by 1.5 percent in 2011, primarily from increases in agriculture and bauxite/alumina production. Inflation abated to 6.6 percent (y-o-y) at end-January, reflecting both moderate food and oil prices increases and real exchange rate appreciation. Interest rates continued to fall and the exchange rate remained broadly stable.

“However, unemployment remained high at 12.8 percent, and the fiscal situation deteriorated. The primary surplus for FY2011/12 is projected to drop to 3 percent of GDP (compared with a budget target of 5.2 percent); the deficit of the public sector is estimated to increase to 7.3 percent of GDP and the ratio of the debt to GDP to remain high, at 140 percent of GDP. The developments in public finances reflect both lower tax revenues and higher government expenditures in 2011. In addition, delays in the implementation of the structural reform program adversely affected fiscal performance.

“Higher oil prices contributed to a projected increase in the external current account deficit to over 10 percent of GDP. Sluggish official inflows and foreign direct investment, combined with central bank foreign exchange sales, led to the decline in net international reserves to US$1.8 billion at end-February. Meanwhile, in the banking system, the nonperforming loan ratio rose to 9 percent, while credit to the private sector rose by 12 percent, primarily on account of consumer credit. 

“The recovery is fragile and there are strong downside risks. Growth in FY2012/13 is projected to remain low at about 1 percent and, on present trends, the public sector and external current account deficits are projected to widen and the public debt to rise. On the external side, risks to external stability and growth can arise from volatile commodity import prices (including oil) and a slowdown in global growth, in particular in the United States. Jamaica is also susceptible to natural disasters.

“Jamaica thus faces significant challenges. A key challenge is to attain higher and sustainable rates of economic growth, while reducing macroeconomic risks, including from the high public debt and high unemployment. The authorities and the IMF team agree that this will require actions on three fronts, developed within a medium-term framework of national priorities. First, a growth-oriented environment aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness, while raising efficiency. Second, strong macroeconomic policies through significantly higher primary fiscal surpluses, fiscal and financial reforms, and further strengthening financial sector regulation and supervision. Third, a framework to ensure social cohesion. In this regard, prompt implementation of tax reform and improvements in tax administration will allow the government to focus spending in priority areas while raising productivity.

“The mission and the authorities agreed that the tough challenges facing the country call for prompt policy actions. The authorities are working on a program of measures and reforms to address these challenges, and intend to continue discussions with the IMF team during the Spring Meetings (April 20–22) in Washington, DC. The mission expresses its deep appreciation to the authorities and technical staff for their excellent cooperation.”