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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Tuesday predicted that Jamaica would register economic growth of 4.3 per cent this year.

This is down from the projected growth of 4.7 per cent last year.

The Washington-based financial institution said that while the Jamaican economy is rebounding, risks remain significant with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic being the main risk.

“Renewed COVID-19 waves in Jamaica or abroad could lead to a more prolonged disruption of tourism, trade, and capital flows. Another risk is posed by the uncertain duration of global inflationary pressures, which have boosted inflation to well above the Central Bank’s target range of 4-6 per cent. Natural disasters continue to be an ever-present risk,” the IMF said following the conclusion of the executive board’s 2021 Article IV consultation with Jamaica.

It said that in the decade preceding the pandemic, Jamaica made good progress to restore macroeconomic and financial stability.

Aided by the fund’s financial support, the fiscal deficit was brought down from 11 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009 to a surplus; public debt fell from 142 per cent of GDP to 94 per cent in 2019; and inflation and the current account deficit declined.

The IMF noted that while an early lockdown in 2020 helped contain the number of COVID-19 cases the impact on the economy was severe, with real GDP shrinking by 10 per cent.

“To mitigate the impact of the pandemic on public health and the economy, the authorities suspended the fiscal rule for a year and swiftly implemented public health measures and a fiscal package to support jobs and protect the most vulnerable segments of the population. The downturn and the fiscal package resulted in a fiscal deficit of 3.1 per cent of GDP in financial year 2020/21.”

In their assessment, the IMF executive directors “welcomed the authorities’ swift and comprehensive policy response to the pandemic, which helped limit its health and economic impact”.

They noted that as the economy is recovering, uncertainty and risks remain elevated and that the ear-term policy priority is to protect lives and livelihoods while preserving macroeconomic stability.

Over the medium term, the IMF directors stressed the need to rebuild buffers, safeguard debt sustainability, and prioritise structural reforms that reduce poverty and boost potential and inclusive growth.

They agreed that once the pandemic recedes, it will be important to resume growth-friendly fiscal consolidation and put public debt on a downward trajectory toward the authorities’ medium-term target.

The directors recommended improving revenue and prioritising expenditures to create space for health, education, infrastructure, and growth-enhancing investment, including for climate resilience.

“Enhancing spending efficiency and containing the wage bill will be crucial in this regard,” the directors said, noting that the newly established Independent Fiscal Council would help strengthen fiscal institutions and safeguard the credibility of the debt anchor.

They acknowledged the important role played by monetary accommodation during the pandemic and in light of inflationary pressures, they welcomed the authorities’ readiness to tighten monetary policy to firmly anchor inflation expectations and bring inflation to within the Central Bank’s target range by end-2022.

The directors said that they took positive note of the planned roll-out of the central bank digital currency, with appropriate safeguards, as part of the financial inclusion strategy.

They observed that the financial sector remains well capitalised and liquid.

Source: The Jamaica Gleaner