Directors commended the authorities for their commitment to medium-term fiscal adjustment and their strategy to reverse the recent rise in the public debt-to-GDP ratio. They welcomed the revenue and spending measures adopted in the budget, but considered that contingency measures might be needed to achieve the desired reduction in the fiscal deficit. Directors noted that broader reforms to the tax system and public finance management would also be needed over the medium term to sustain improvements in the fiscal position.

Directors considered that the longstanding peg to the U.S. dollar has provided an appropriate nominal anchor and served the country well. They took note of the staff’s assessment that the current level of the exchange rate is broadly in line with long-term fundamentals. To ensure that the peg remains adequately supported, Directors encouraged the authorities to build up foreign exchange reserves over time as needed.

Directors commended the authorities’ efforts to strengthen the financial system and their close cooperation with supervisors in other jurisdictions. They welcomed recent enhancements in the oversight of the financial sector and in the legal framework for security markets. Directors considered that rising non-performing loans at banks remain a concern, and that close monitoring is warranted. They also encouraged the authorities to continue strengthening the prudential framework of nonbank institutions.

Directors agreed that far-reaching structural reforms are necessary to lift medium-term growth prospects. They welcomed the authorities’ plans to improve business conditions, including for small and medium-sized enterprises, and to strengthen public infrastructure in a manner consistent with the fiscal consolidation strategy.

Background

The global crisis had a profound impact on the Bahamian economy. During 2009, tourist arrivals declined by 10 percent and foreign direct investment fell by over 30 percent, leading to a sharp contraction in domestic activity and an increase in unemployment. The lower demand, together with lower import prices, helped reduce inflation and narrow the external current account deficit to about 12.5 percent of GDP. External borrowing and the one-off Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation (US$179 million) more than covered the current account deficit, and gross international reserves increased to about 2.5 months of imports.

The downturn deteriorated the fiscal position. Revenues declined, while the authorities maintained spending broadly in line with the budget (strengthening the social safety net and accelerating investment spending) to mitigate the demand shock. As a result, the central government deficit rose by 0.5 percentage points to 5.3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the fiscal year 2009/10. Central government debt also increased, reaching 47 percent of GDP at end June 2010, about 10 percentage points higher than before the crisis.

Although the sharp fall in activity reduced bank lending and weakened the loan portfolio, the banking system remains well capitalized and there is ample liquidity. Non-performing loans have increased, recently more so from commercial loans, but stress tests conducted by the authorities suggest that the banking system has adequate buffers to withstand a further deterioration, while continuing to comply with capital requirements.

While near-term growth prospects remain weak, the medium-term outlook is somewhat more favorable. Real GDP is projected to grow modestly in 2010, as tourist arrivals rebound, but a return to the trend growth rate of about 2.5 percent is likely by 2012 if global conditions improve. The external current account deficit, which will widen somewhat in 2010 and 2011, is expected to narrow over the medium term, from higher tourism receipts and continued foreign direct investment. Nonetheless, the fiscal outlook is of concern, with the ratio of central government debt to GDP projected to continue rising over the medium term.