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Viewing cable 09KINGSTON361, JAMAICA: PM GOLDING'S 2009-10 BUDGET PRESENTATION

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09KINGSTON361 2009-05-07 20:08 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Kingston
VZCZCXRO9083
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #0361/01 1272008
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 072008Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7599
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 000361 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (ACADIEUX) (VDEPIRRO) (WSMITH) 
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY)(FCORNEILLE) 
EEB/ESC/IEC/EPC (MMcMANUS) 
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS 
TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW 
USTDA FOR NATHAN YOUNG AND PATRICIA ARRIAGADA 
OPIC FOR ALISON GERMAK 
 
DEPT PASS TO USTR (CATHERINE HINCKLEY) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ENRG SENV EAIR EMIN ASEC SOCI ETRD TRSY OPIC
AID, OAS, IBRD, IDB, JM, XL 
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: PM GOLDING'S 2009-10 BUDGET PRESENTATION 
 
REF: A) KINGSTON 315 
B) KINGSTON 269 
C) KINGSTON 245 
D) KINGSTON 223 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Responding to criticism from the opposing People's 
National Party (PNP), Prime Minister (PM) Bruce Golding defended his 
proposed national budget before Members of Parliament on May 5. 
During the speech attended by emboffs, Golding detailed the dire 
economic reality facing the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) and the 
resulting necessity of enhancing revenue through measures such as 
the increase of the special consumption tax (SCT) on gasoline.  To 
decrease dependence on petroleum, the GOJ will invite investment 
proposals for the development of power generation from liquid 
natural gas (LNG).  The GOJ's lending institutions will bolster 
efforts to provide access to capital for business development, and a 
new public-private partnership for the creation of a venture capital 
company was announced.  The Opposition's call for diverting funds 
from the Universal Access Fund (UAF) for infrastructure projects was 
discredited, with Golding mentioning the "hostile response of U.S. 
regulatory authorities" on the issue.  Golding acknowledged that if 
conditions worsen, a return to the IMF for support is not out of the 
question.  Golding praised President Obama's recent signaling of 
recommitment to the Carribbean. Despite rumors of public 
demonstrations to reject the JD 18 billion (USD 205 million) tax 
package, no serious protests materialized.  End Summary. 
 
"THE TIDE HAS GONE OUT" 
----------------------- 
2. (SBU) Golding detailed Jamaica's grim economic situation in the 
climate of global recession.  Since 1970, the Jamaican economy has 
grown by more than 3 percent only five times.  In the last four 
decades, the rest of the CARICOM community has grown cumulatively by 
173 percent. During the same period, the Jamaican economy has grown 
by less than 25 percent.  Jamaica's per capita income is the fourth 
lowest in the region. Golding cited the import-export imbalance, the 
fallout in bauxite/ alumina, and the decline in remittances as 
particular sources of economic strain.  In short, the "tide has gone 
out," and the Jamaican economy has been left high dry.  Golding 
cited the tourism industry, which experienced 4 percent growth 
during 2008, as Jamaica's sole bright spot. 
 
NO CHOICE BUT TO RAISE TAXES 
---------------------------- 
3. (SBU)  Given the economic climate, Golding said the GOJ has no 
choice but to raise taxes.  The tax package is based on 
recommendations of the Tax Policy Review Committee, which was 
established in 2003 by the previous administration.  The proposed 
tax increases are actually less severe than the original committee 
recommendations, which included applying the general consumption tax 
(GCT) on all products, including gasoline and electricity. 
Responding to criticisms of the GCT being levied on books and 
computers, Golding said changes to the proposal will be announced by 
Finance Minister Audley Shaw offering certain waivers for students. 
Golding reiterated that this tax restructuring will further the 
country's shift to direct from indirect taxation.  Golding called 
the proposed changes "more efficient, equitable, and simpler to 
administer."  The tax plan is expected to generate JD 18 billion 
(USD 205 million) in net additional revenue (reftels). 
 
"A STEPPING STONE, NOT A STUMBLING BLOCK" 
----------------------------------------- 
4. (SBU)  Golding challenged the GOJ to use the current economic 
crisis to foster reform, growth, and eventual prosperity.  Reform 
measures will include freezing non-critical job vacancies and moving 
some public sector employees to clerical police jobs, which will 
allow trained police officers to be out on the streets.  In terms of 
fiscal responsibility, Golding said Jamaica must end its dependence 
on excessive borrowing.  Still, the administration will consider a 
return to the IMF for assistance if necessary, especially given the 
possibility of the IMF offering budgetary support.  Golding cited 
soaring energy costs as a major economic hurdle for Jamaica. 
According to the PM, "the reopening of our alumina plants even after 
market conditions improve hangs on our ability to obtain cheaper 
energy."  In December 2007, one kilowatt hour (Kwh) of power in the 
US costs just over six US cents, while in Jamaica, the same KWH 
costs nearly 21 cents. (Note:  Energy costs rose as high as 34 cents 
per Kwh during the summer of 2008, but have declined slightly to 30 
cents per Kwh.  End Note).   The GOJ has determined that LNG should 
be a priority for energy diversification.  (Note:  In recent months, 
 
KINGSTON 00000361  002 OF 002 
 
 
the GOJ also said it would pursue a major coal power generation 
project.  End Note.) 
 
ACCESS TO CAPITAL 
----------------- 
5. (SBU)  Small and medium enterprises are a vital part of the 
Jamaican economy.  To facilitate growth, the GOJ will partner with 
the private sector to establish a credit bureau to secure loans for 
individuals who lack collateral, but carry solid credit histories. 
The GOJ also will launch a new venture capital company to facilitate 
launching new businesses.  A youth entrepreneurship program will 
help address the lack of opportunity for high school graduates. 
Students can submit business proposals, and students whose proposals 
are accepted will receive business training and be eligible for 
business financing.  To fill workforce voids in the agriculture and 
healthcare sectors, student loan rates will be cut to 4 percent from 
12 percent for students who embark on careers in these fields. 
 
UAF WILL NOT BE RAIDED 
---------------------- 
6. (SBU)  Golding accepted the Opposition's call for JD 1 billion to 
be shifted from Jamaica's Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to finance 
infrastructure in squatter settlements surrounding resort areas. 
However, the call for the diversion of funds from the UAF for 
similar infrastructure development projects was sharply rejected. 
Golding, citing the displeasure of U.S. authorities, said the UAF 
was to be used exclusively for internet expansion projects and 
e-learning. 
 
USA-JAMAICA RELATIONS: MOVING FORWARD 
------------------------------------ 
7. (SBU)  Reflecting on the meeting between President Obama and 
Latin American and Caribbean leaders during April's Summit of the 
Americas, Golding expressed his pleasure with the USG's recommitment 
to the Caribbean.  Joint issues of concern include the global 
economy, immigration, narco-trafficking, the gun trade, and offshore 
banking.  Caricom leaders will meet with President Obama in July to 
continue the dialogue.  Golding mentioned the GOJ's desire for a 
change in U.S. policy toward Cuba, but said the path to achieve this 
was through diplomacy. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
8. (SBU)  Given fears of public protests in response to raising 
taxes amid a major economic downturn, Golding faced a major 
challenge in defending the budget.  He appears to have succeeded in 
doling out enough social measures to placate the poor, but still 
targeting spending and cuts in a way that should prepare Jamaica for 
future growth.  In a wise political move, he conceded to the PNP on 
the issue of the TEF, while holding his ground on the narrow use of 
UAF funding.  There is no indication at this time that the GOJ will 
seek to transfer UAF resources to infrastructure projects.  The move 
to LNG is a step in the right direction in terms of diversifying 
Jamaica's energy supply, but at a price tag in the hundreds of 
millions of dollars, it is not likely to begin without major foreign 
direct investment. Although the venture capital company could be an 
important factor in future economic growth, Jamaicans' cultural 
reservations about shared company ownership may make it difficult 
for the project to flourish.  The lack of mass demonstrations 
signals the public's acceptance of the budget and the acknowledgment 
of the dire economic conditions facing Jamaica and the world.  End 
Comment. 
MOSS