BURMA: INFLATION SKYROCKETS, ECONOMIC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000463 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PGOV BM SUBJECT: BURMA: INFLATION SKYROCKETS, ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT CONTINUES RANGOON 00000463 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. (U) Summary: In 2006, Burma's inflation rate rose to a staggering 57 percent, fueled by poor economic policies, higher input costs, further devaluation of the kyat, and higher fuel costs among other factors. While the poor continue to suffer, the middle class continue to struggle, and the well-connected continue to profit, deteriorating economic conditions could transform the country's downward slide into instability. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) In March, the end of Burma's fiscal year, the inflation rate rose to a staggering 57 percent, according to the Embassy's monthly survey of prices. During 2006-2007, we estimated inflation averaged 39 percent per month in contrast to the previous two years when the average inflation rate was below 20 percent. The Economic Minister claimed that inflation was up only 16.44 percent in September 2006 and the government's Central Statistical Organization's (CSO) unpublished inflation rate for December 2006 was 18.5 percent. Nevertheless, most local economists dispute the official inflation rate and agree that it is well over 50 percent. What's Causing the Inflation? -------------- ¶3. (U) Three official actions have raised prices across the Burmese economy: reductions in fuel subsidies in October 2005 that drove fuel prices up 733 percent overnight; April 2006 civil service salary increases; and a ten-fold increase of electricity charges in May 2006. Burma's inflation is fueled by a combination of corruption, exchange rate depreciation, and deficit spending. Despite the government's claim it is implementing a "clean government program" and cracking down on massive corruption in the Customs Department, widespread corruption continues in the Immigration Department, the police force, justice offices, the Yangon City Development Committee, and other government agencies and offices. The simplest official act requires a bribe to accomplish. Citizens must bribe officials to obtain telephone lines, cell phones, electricity meters, ID cards, and drivers' licenses. ¶4. (U) Severe energy shortages continue to drive up the cost of doing business and try the patience of the Burmese who sweat through long, hot nights without fans or air conditioning, and who often must get up in the middle of the night to cook their meals and do their laundry, to take advantage of the few hours they are supplied with electricity. The frequent power cuts, fuel rationing, and the sharp increases in fuel costs force businesses to spend more on back-up generators and transportation, in turn, raising the cost of production. The government's persistent budget deficits and yearly supplementary budget allotments on non-productive activities such as defense and non-productive infrastructure also contribute to inflation. As a result, the Central Bank just prints more money, fueling inflation. This in turn contributes to the depreciation of the kyat, further driving up the prices of imported good on which more people depend. Domestic Production Down, Uncertainty Up -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Although the Burmese government continues to claim a 13.2 percent growth in GDP for 2006, reality does not support the GOB's fantasy figures. The regime's claimed achievements starkly contradict visible, widespread poverty and mounting economic hardship. One senior economist told us RANGOON 00000463 002.2 OF 003 increasing inflation is exacerbated by declining production levels in both the government and private sectors, and capital expenditures on construction resulting in huge budget deficits. The GOB has spent an enormous amount of money on infrastructure construction (like its new capital Nay Pyi Taw) with little investment in the manufacturing sectors, he said. To finance the resulting deficit, the Central Bank increased the money supply. To combat the resulting inflation, the government must collect more taxes, which people can evade by bribing officials. He also noted that the high-level of uncertainty in Burma's economy continues to discourage private entrepreneurs from expanding business. ¶6. (SBU) The government's inaccurate official data results in bad economic policy decisions. A business contact recently told us that some price increases were directly caused by a conflict between official information and the reality of the market. A recent example is the government's decision to grant export permits for onions and rice, based on inaccurate data showing a market surplus of these items. When exporters bought stocks in the market to make up the required volume, prices of these basic commodities quickly tripled. Rice prices continue to rise and are expected to rise further due to an anticipated decrease in summer rice crop acreage caused by this year's hot weather, low water supply, and the rising cost of diesel fuel needed to pump water for irrigation. Fertilizer costs are also expected to increase due to the recent flooding that damaged fertilizer stocks. Speculation drives up commodity prices as those with money, faced with few opportunities to invest safely and protect the value of their money, purchase commodities in large quantities pushing up prices. Interest Rates Cannot Keep Up With Inflation -------------- ¶7. (SBU) In order to reduce the money supply, the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) announced an increase in the savings deposit rate from 10 percent to 12 percent per annum. But inflation far outpaced the new rate. A private banker told us that, in the past, the reserve requirement for private banks was 10 percent of total demand deposit. On April 2, the CBM increased the reserve requirement to 10 percent of all deposits, including demand deposits, savings account deposits, and fixed income account deposits. All in a futile effort to decrease the money supply, the banker said. How Does the Middle Class Manage? -------------- ¶8. (U) Despite skyrocketing inflation, the middle-class salary earners manage to make ends meet, though their purchasing power continues to diminish. We receive reports that the middle class have shifted to lower quality foods and other purchases. Civil servants have a leg-up due to the salary increase the government granted in April 2006, although they have been affected by the necessity to split family costs between the new capital and Rangoon. Staff in private firms have either been paid reasonable salary levels or been granted generous cost of living allowances to match civil service salaries. The Cronies Continue to Profit - As Well as the Regime -------------- -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The regime's cronies or "national entrepreneurs" as they are sometimes known, continue to rake in large amounts of income due to their favored status in receiving government RANGOON 00000463 003.2 OF 003 funded projects, licenses, and business permits allowing them to generate high returns and more wealth. They are often business partners of regime family members or well-connected to the ruling generals. Apart from the cronies, military-backed Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd. (MEHL) continues to monopolize most business in Burma. Founded by the military government in 1990, MEHL was created to provide extra income for the top military families and junta cronies. Eleven companies operate under MEHL conducting banking, trading, manufacturing, transportation, mining, agriculture, services, and real estate transactions. No private company can compete against this mammoth. A business source told us that MEHL recently received coveted and carefully controlled licenses to import 2001 and 2002 model Toyotas from Japan for about $7000 each. These were sold to high-level army officials for about $142,000 each, who in turn re-sold the cars to private individuals for $181,820. ¶11. (SBU) Comment: Burma's military regime sustains itself by exploiting its natural resources, without considering long-term economic consequences. Revenues from oil and gas, mines, gems, and timber support the government's hard currency needs, preventing a total economic breakdown. But it has no plan to get the overall economy growing. The generals do not listen to trained economists; instead they resolve economic issues on an ad hoc basis. In this deteriorating environment, no one will invest. And so the downward spiral continues, with the people becoming ever more discontented. The breaking point gets ever nearer. VILLAROSA