Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINGSTON581
2009-08-03 19:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:  

JAMAICA ON VERGE OF IMF STAND-BY AGREEMENT

Tags:  ECON ENRG EFIN EINV ETRD PGOV PREL SOCI ASEC IADB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3655
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #0581/01 2151948
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031948Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7904
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINGSTON 000581 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (RALVARADO)(VDEPIRRO)(WSMITH)
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY) (FCORNEILLE)
EEB/IFD/OMA
WHA/PPC (JGONZALEZ)
INR/RES (RWARNER)
INR/I (SMCCORMICK)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW
EXPORT IMPORT BANK FOR ANNETTE MARESH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ENRG EFIN EINV ETRD PGOV PREL SOCI ASEC IADB
IBRD, IMF, TRYS, KRCM, JM, XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA ON VERGE OF IMF STAND-BY AGREEMENT

REF: A. KINGSTON 551

B. KINGSTON 521

C. KINGSTON 517

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINGSTON 000581

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (RALVARADO)(VDEPIRRO)(WSMITH)
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY) (FCORNEILLE)
EEB/IFD/OMA
WHA/PPC (JGONZALEZ)
INR/RES (RWARNER)
INR/I (SMCCORMICK)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW
EXPORT IMPORT BANK FOR ANNETTE MARESH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ENRG EFIN EINV ETRD PGOV PREL SOCI ASEC IADB
IBRD, IMF, TRYS, KRCM, JM, XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA ON VERGE OF IMF STAND-BY AGREEMENT

REF: A. KINGSTON 551

B. KINGSTON 521

C. KINGSTON 517


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: After months of negotiations, the Government of
Jamaican (GOJ) is on the brink of signing a Stand-by Agreement with
the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This disclosure was
confirmed by lead IMF representative, Trevor Alleyne, at a meeting
with the donor community held at Post on July 30. Alleyne told
attendees that the GOJ had formally stated its intention to apply
for an agreement and was working assiduously to have one in place by
October. Alleyne, who was quizzed about the likely social impact of
an IMF program, was at pains to explain that the Fund had changed
its mode of operation and was now more sensitive to social and
political imperatives. He explained that Jamaica is a sovereign
country and, the IMF would not dictate the terms of an agreement.
He said the IMF would be working with the GOJ to address the key
macro-economic imbalances that have plagued the country. End
Summary.

USD 1.2 Billion Over 2 years
--------------


2. (SBU) Alleyne spoke to Emboffs and members of the international
donor community, including representatives from United Nations
Development Program (UNDP),UK Department for International
Development (DFID),Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA),European Commission Delegation (ECD),United Nations
Resident Coordinator (UNRC),Ministry of Finance, and the Public
Service/European Commission Delegation (ECD). He said there was

every indication that the IMF and the GOJ are moving quickly toward
an agreement. He said the program, which could run from two to
three years, could be put before the IMF Board as early as October.
He said to maintain this tight timeline the negotiations would have
to conclude by September. The GOJ has suggested that the country
would be able to access up to USD 1.2 billion over a two-year
period.

Fiscal Consolidation Targeted
--------------


3. (SBU) Recognizing that Jamaica has been affected by decades of
structural impediments, Alleyne noted that any new program must seek
to address the key macro-economic imbalances over the medium term.
He suggested that the approach should be to cherry-pick, rather than
being broad-based, looking at the fundamentals and helping the
government accordingly. In this regard, he pointed to the need for
fiscal consolidation, which he said should be underpinned by
fundamental fiscal reform. He stated that the objective must be to
tie everything into one coherent strategy to put fiscal policy on a
sustainable footing through lower interest rates, which is part of
the basis for investment and growth. He said part of the Fund's
rule of engagement was therefore to look at the GOJ's plan for
medium-term fiscal consolidation.

Here by Invitation
--------------


4. (SBU) Some members of the donor community expressed concern over
the potential impact of an IMF agreement on the level of social
services, fearing it could further worsen conditions for poorer
Jamaicans. Alleyne reminded attendees that the IMF was invited to
Jamaica because the country was suffering from balance of payments
(BOP) problems due to declining earnings from tourism, bauxite,
remittances and a lack of access to capital markets. He explained
that Jamaica is a sovereign country, and as such the IMF was in no
position to dictate policy prescriptions. He made it clear that the
IMF and the GOJ agree on the main pillars of the macro-economic
program. That said, he stated that everyone must appreciate that
Jamaica's problems were not simple, and as such it was important
that any solution be properly implemented. When asked about the
possible conditions, he stated that he could not announce any
conditions, as none had been decided.

IMF's Human Face
--------------


5. (SBU) He conceded that social stability had become important to
the IMF following past experiences. He stated, "This is something
that has damaged our reputation in the past and we remain cognizant
of this fact." He continued, "Every recent program has a section
explaining how the most vulnerable will be protected." To
illustrate this point he explained that the IMF Board now ensures
that measures are taken to protect the social safety net. He also
drew the group's attention to an IMF article addressing the "IMF's
Role in Helping Protect the Most Vulnerable in the Global Crisis."
He did not attempt to downplay the dire economic situation in
Jamaica, and pointed out that the GOJ must prioritize in this time
of crisis and as such it cannot be all things to all people.

Spreading the Burden
--------------


6. (SBU) He noted that even though the IMF fully supports
prioritizing social safety net programs, there must be adjustments,
and the aim is to ensure that the burden is spread across society.
(NOTE: The IDB representative Gerard Johnson announced that the GOJ
has approached the bank for a USD 100 million loan to guarantee
social safety net programs. The European Union Representative
announced that his office is also providing a USD 45 million grant
for budgetary support. End Note).

Debt Holders Accept Lower Rates?
--------------


7. (SBU) Critics voicing their opinions in local newspaper
editorials, including the trade unions, remain bitterly opposed to
an IMF program. They suggest that the burden of adjustment has
traditionally been borne by the most vulnerable groups. Alleyne
suggested that a key element of any program must be a sharing of the
cost of adjustment (Reftels). Prime Minister (PM) Bruce Golding
announced that terms were being worked out with banks and financial
institutions, noting that a deal now hinges on whether financial
institutions can convince clients to accept lower interest rates.
In his continued bid to calm fears in the local capital market,
Golding was quick to add that "we can't repudiate the debt, nor can
we unilaterally alter the terms and conditions of the debt". For
his part, Alleyne told attendees that in the final analysis the aim
must be the restoration of macro-stability, preparing the path for
enhanced growth in a sustainable manner. In this regard, he said
there was no sense in negotiating a three year public sector wage
freeze, only for wages to be ratcheted up with even more force at
the end of the period.

Interest Rates Decline
--------------


8. (SBU) The impending IMF agreement, coupled with GOJ negotiations
with creditors, appear to have provided the perfect platform for the
Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) (Central bank) to start reducing rates.
Within the space of a week, the BOJ cut rates by two hundred and
fifty basis points (2.5 percentage points),effectively reducing
debt servicing cost by almost USD 10 million. (Note: Every one
percentage point decline in rates leads to an almost USD 4 million
reduction in debt serving cost. End Note). The decline also was
underpinned by stability in the local money market. The reduction
also occurred against the background of moderating prices, with the
inflation likely to fall below the original target of 11 to 14
percent. The decision also was prompted by lower demand for foreign
exchange after an extended period of foreign exchange market
instability.

Comment
--------------


9. (SBU) Jamaica is expected to conclude an IMF program when Alleyne
and his team return to the country in September. Although the terms
are not disclosed, from all indications some of the austerity
measures anticipated by the public, such as massive job cuts and
steep currency depreciation, might not materialize. PM Golding also
has maintained that the health, education and security sectors are
sacrosanct, leaving little room for major cuts in non-debt
expenditures. As tax revenues continue to decline from the collapse
of the bauxite sector and business contraction, it appears that the
GOJ is banking on major interest rate concessions from its creditors
to alleviate the current fiscal crisis.


10. (SBU) However, with financial institutions unlikely to convince
clients to accept lower interest rates in the very short term, it
would be surprising if the GOJ can negotiate a substantial reduction
in rates by October. This leaves the GOJ little option but to
further slash capital expenditures, and most likely the Prime
Minister's constituency development fund,which was established to
allow members of Parliament to finance development projects in their
respective districts. GOJ coffers also may have to be augmented by
proceeds from the planned sale of some state-owned assets. End
comment.
MOSS