Directors stressed the importance of fiscal prudence in balancing the need to mobilize resources for the ambitious infrastructure and social spending plans while maintaining debt sustainability. They expressed concern about the recent acceleration in fiscal spending and the continued use of central bank financing for budget expenditures. Directors noted the authorities’ commitment to improve revenue collection from the goods and services tax, higher diamond royalties, and other critical tax administration reforms, and welcomed the implementation of an automatic fuel pricing formula. Directors also stressed the importance of implementing a comprehensive public sector pay reform, eliminating discretionary tax exemptions, and carefully prioritizing infrastructure projects. Directors strongly urged the authorities to apply the fiscal regime in the Mines and Minerals Act to all future mining agreements.

Directors noted the staff assessment that the leone remains broadly aligned with its fundamentals. They encouraged the authorities to press ahead with structural reforms to improve the business climate and boost competitiveness over the medium term.

Directors commended the Bank of Sierra Leone’s commitment to maintain a tight monetary policy to reduce inflationary pressures, particularly in the face of the significant increase in direct credit to the government. They considered that establishing a benchmark policy interest rate will help improve the transmission mechanism. Directors highlighted the need to enhance central bank independence and strengthen bank regulation and supervision.

Directors concurred that strong progress in implementing structural reforms is key to achieving high and sustainable growth. They agreed that reforms should focus on improving tax administration, strengthening public financial management, and developing the financial sector to boost private sector investment and activity.

Background

Sierra Leone continued to make progress in its post-conflict transition towards creating an enabling environment for sustained economic growth. Although living conditions have started to improve, per capita income remains low and poverty is widespread. Sierra Leone’s growth prospects hinge on rebuilding basic infrastructure and developing broad access to financial services.

Real GDP growth decelerated to 3.2 percent in 2009 owing to weak external demand associated with the global economic recession. However, economic activity is projected to increase to 4.5 percent in 2010, reflecting marked growth in the services sector, buoyant agricultural production, and a rebound in exports. While lower fuel and domestic food prices eased inflationary pressures during most of 2009, inflation is projected to increase to 16 percent in 2010, mainly because of a jump in the price level in the first two months of the year due to the introduction of the goods and services tax. Exports have picked up in 2010 because of higher diamond export volumes and prices and gross international reserves are expected to remain at comfortable levels.

In June 2010, the Executive Board approved a new 3-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement in support of Sierra Leone’s economic program, which aims to raise economic growth in the medium-term by accelerating investments in infrastructure and social development. The program is designed to create fiscal space for these spending priorities by further strengthening tax performance and improving the public financial management system. Private sector growth is envisaged to be supported by a deepening of the financial sector.

Fiscal policy aims at improving infrastructure and social services in 2011. Capital spending is envisaged to further expand to 10.2 percent of GDP, most of which will be externally financed. Nonpriority expenditures are expected to remain constrained. Domestic revenues are projected to continue to increase to 13.3 percent of GDP in 2011, reflecting efficiency gains from tax reforms and the implementation of higher royalties on diamonds.

Monetary policy aims at bringing inflation down to single digits in 2011. With the establishment of a benchmark policy rate, the transmission mechanism is likely to improve. A flexible exchange rate will be maintained to facilitate adjustment to external shocks.

Structural reforms focus on: (i) improving the tax administration and broadening the tax base; (ii) strengthening public financial management by enhancing the planning, monitoring and evaluation process for capital projects and building a high-caliber workforce by implementing a multi-year pay reform; and (iii) deepening the financial sector by adopting the new surveillance guidelines for banks and establishing a credit reference bureau.