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NATIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE ECONOMY Theme: “The Architecture of an Efficient and Sustainable Public Sector in Support of our Economic Growth Agenda”. St Kitts Marriott Resort 8 th September 2011. Ministry of Finance SHORT TO MEDIUM TERM FISCAL STRATEGY. Overview of Presentation.
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NATIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE ECONOMY Theme: “The Architecture of an Efficient and Sustainable Public Sector in Support of our Economic Growth Agenda” St Kitts Marriott Resort 8th September 2011
Overview of Presentation • Recent Performance • Historical Performance • Short to Medium Term Fiscal Strategy • Key Fiscal and Other Measures • Fiscal Targets and Expected Outcomes 2010 to 2013 • Selected Projections 2011 • Other Options • Risk Factors
Recent Performance • Economic Developments: • By the end of 2010 economic activity in St. Kitts and Nevis declined by 4.2% • The Construction Sector contracted by 28% while the Manufacturing Sector declined by 15% • GDP at market prices for 2010 is estimated at $1,821.76m • The inflation rate was 0.7%
Recent Performance • Fiscal Performance: • Overall consolidated fiscal position of St. Kitts and Nevis deteriorated at the end of 2010 with an Overall Deficit of 6.6% of GDP compared with a deficit of 0.9% in 2009 • Consolidated Primary Surplus of $7.5m (0.4% of GDP) compared with $108.5m (5.8% of GDP) in 2009 • Central Government Overall Deficit of $88.8m recorded (4.9% of GDP) • Central Government Primary Balance of $24.2m (1.3% of GDP)
Recent Fiscal Performance Central Government Fiscal Performance EC$m:
Medium Term Fiscal Strategy • The medium term fiscal strategy of the Government is geared towards meeting the targets agreed to under the IMF Program. This includes: • Minimizing budget deficits • Improving revenue generating capacity • Reducing expenditure levels • Reducing debt level and large debt service payments
Fiscal Strategy Cont’d 1) The Government’s fiscal strategy is designed to support its wider economic growth objectives • Stable, consistent, and predictable economic policies are essential to promote confidence and investments by the private sector: • Releasing lands for development purposes • Fostering partnerships with the private sector • Privatization of entities that are suited for commercial activities
Fiscal Strategy Cont’d 2) Structuring Government Revenue More Efficiently and Equitably • On the revenue side, the Government will continue to expand the tax base to improve equity and simplification of the tax system. • Continue to implement Value Added Tax • New Income Tax Act enacted • Continue to implement new unincorporated business Tax Act • Continued modernization of the Customs and Inland Revenue Department
Fiscal Strategy Cont’d • Reducing the Public Debt • Retire high interest rate debt and replace with debt carrying lower interest rates. In particular restructure the debt based on the advise of Debt Advisors • Possible medium term objectives towards the achievement of debt sustainability • Define benchmark sustainable debt targets • Set an interest to revenue target • Set interim reasonable targets for Debt to GDP Ratio • Ensure that these targets are achieved without detriment to domestic financial sector
Fiscal strategy Cont’d • Making Government Expenditure More Efficient and Effective • Performance budgeting and evaluation • Setting clear medium term targets for Government expenditure • Active cash management • Policy for reducing expenditure on personal emoluments • Prioritization of the capital budget-projects which contribute to economic growth
Key Fiscal Measures - Revenue • Tax Reform • Enforce VAT Regulations • Streamline Discretionary Tax Exemptions • Improve Regulation of Duty Free Shopping System
Key Fiscal Measures – Expenditure • Wage and Hiring Freeze • Contain Expenditure on Goods and Services • Re-prioritize Capital Expenditure
Fiscal Targets and Expected Outcomes Central Government’s fiscal targets over the period 2010 to 2013 are: Primary Surpluses in excess of 5% of GDP A reduction in Central Government debt to 110% of GDP Reduced Debt Servicing Ratios to sustainable levels
Risk Factors • In setting the above fiscal targets and expected outcomes the we have envisaged an environment that is conducive to economic growth. • The forecast are also contingent upon growth projections for St Kitts and Nevis remaining unchanged in the short term. • These forecasts are also dependent on economic and political stability in the domestic and international arenas. • Additionally, substantive variations in oil prices or any natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, could have an adverse effect on these projections.