VZCZCXRO0944
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #1805/01 2552042
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 122042Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3578
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 001805 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (RANDALL BUDDEN) 
WHA/EPSC (JSLATTERY) 
 
TREASURY FOR A FAIBISHENKO 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL PGOV PINR SOCI IDB IMF JM XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: DEBT AND ANEMIC GROWTH ENCUMBER 
BOTH A STABLE ECONOMY AND A POPULIST PRIME MINISTER 
 
---------------------- 
Summary and Comment 
---------------------- 
 
1.(U) JamaicaQs foreign currency bond rating and economic outlook 
remain stable, but the countryQs finances are among the worldQs weakest 
with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 136 percent, while growth remains anemic. 
Fiscal consolidations, and more specifically debt consolidation, remain 
major hurdle for improvement of the credit rating.  The Inter-American 
Development Bank (IDB) has announced a hold on most new capital loans 
for the next three years, saying the Government has not invested the 
resources promised in projects already underway. 
 
2.(SBU) In protest over populist Prime Minister Portia Simpson-MillerQs 
plans to use money from the National Housing Trust and National 
Insurance Scheme to provide low interest loans to small businesses, 
respected Finance Minister Omar Davies recently threatened to resign. 
The Prime Minister may not yet have full control of her Cabinet: to 
confirm her own clear mandate, and then make the personnel changes 
necessary to pursue populist policies to satisfy an expectant populatio 
she might prefer to call elections-- which must be held by October, 
2007Q 
sooner rather than later. 
End Summary and Comment. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
Fitch, MoodyQs, and IDB Issue Reports on Jamaica 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
3.(U)  MoodyQs has reaffirmed JamaicaQs B1 foreign currency bond rating 
and stable outlook, but warned that the countryQs finances were among t 
weakest in the world in terms of debt-to-GDP ratio.  The rating remains 
several notches below the investment grade of Baaa3, reflecting the GOJ 
limited options to respond to shocks without impacting the fiscal accou 
and the debt dynamics.  In fact, MoodyQs said that if its ratings were 
on purely quantitative issues, the ratings would have been downgraded a 
the countryQs debt ratio (136 percent) is not consistent with its B1 ra 
even the entire B1 to C rating category.  However, in assigning its lat 
ratings, MoodyQs took into consideration the countryQs commitment to 
fiscal discipline and strong willingness to service its debt.  Accordin 
MoodyQs, "ratings remain supported by the government's commitment to 
return to a balanced budget position, by a constitutional provision 
mandating debt service payments as the first expenditure priority, by a 
proven ability to face severe shocks and a strong willingness to pay." 
is consistent with a previous report from Standard and PoorQs. 
4.(U)  Fitch Rating Agency also has assigned a B+ rating to the country 
suggesting that the outlook is stable and the prospects for debt repaym 
are average.  Like those of MoodyQs and S&P, this rating was underpinne 
by JamaicaQs long unblemished tradition of timely repayments.  In its 
August 30th report, Shelly Shetty, a Senior Director in Fitch's soverei 
group, said "Jamaica's ratings are supported by an impressive commitmen 
of authorities to maintain fiscal consolidation to reduce public debt d 
the various external shocks the island has faced in recent years."  She 
also pointed to the societyQs willingness to shoulder the burden of fis 
adjustment as well as the countryQs focus on tax collection through 
improved tax administration.  Fitch noted that the high public debt at 
percent of GDP, which is twice the QBQ median, and the attendant heavy 
financing needs, are the major problems preventing Jamaica from getting 
higher debt rating which would correspond to the lower cost of its debt 
5.(U)  Fitch pointed out that one way out of the debt trap is economic 
growth, but the agency does not foresee the country growing at more tha 
an anemic rate.  "Jamaica's growth performance is among the worst in th 
'B' category, with its 2001-2005 average growth of 1.4 per cent compari 
poorly with the 4.6 per cent 'B' median.  Jamaica's growth performance 
hampered by crowding out from the large fiscal deficits, a heavy public 
debt burden, a significant vulnerability to external and weather relate 
shocks, volatility in the exchange and interest rates, and a wide range 
other structural constraints, such as low labor productivity, and a hig 
crime rate."  On the positive side, Fitch suggested that growth rates c 
improve in 2006-2008 because of the expected foreign direct investment 
in the country. That said, fiscal consolidations, and more specifically 
consolidation, remain the major hurdle for Jamaica to improve its credi 
rating.   According to Fitch, a significant reduction in the public deb 
burden may be required before Jamaica could move up the rating scale. 
---------------------------------------- 
IDB Puts New Capital Lending on Hold 
---------------------------------------- 
6.(U)  Following closely on the heels of the above reports, on August 3 
IDB announced a hold on most new capital loans for the next three years 
saying the country has not invested the resources promised in projects 
already underway.  Private sector, disaster recovery, and policy 
development programs will not be affected.  Of the USD 77 million the 
GOJ should have invested in 2004/05 on IDB-financed jobs, only USD 
19.2 million was provided.  The IDB noted the GOJQs increased reliance 
on commercially sourced domestic and external debt instead of its cheap 
 
KINGSTON 00001805  002 OF 002 
 
 
development funds, a point constantly raised by the Opposition JLP.  Th 
bank has not totally shut the door on loans to Jamaica, saying that "sh 
the fiscal situation improve sufficiently to allow for further investme 
borrowing during this Strategy period", it would "leave open the 
possibility of preparing new investment loans, if requested by 
Government."  (Comment:  Jamaica could be slow in sourcing funds from 
the IDB because of the increased scrutiny and, to a lesser extent, 
conditionalities involved in comparison to commercial borrowing.  Recal 
that the Patterson administration pulled out of the IMF for similar rea 
Also, because of the debt trap, the country has had real difficulty fin 
the matching capital for counterpart funding.  End Comment.) 
------------------------------ 
Reduction in Interest Rates 
------------------------------ 
 
7.(U)  After months of being muted by jitters in the foreign exchange 
market, the BOJ has announced a 0.3 percentage point reduction in 
interest rates.  The BOJ has attributed the reduction to the positive t 
economic news and the prospects for improved performance.  The bank is 
particularly upbeat about the moderation in inflation and the return to 
stability in the foreign exchange market on the back of increased inflo 
from remittances and tourism.  The increased inflows have pushed the 
stock of NIR to USD 2.2 billion, well above program. 
 
8.(SBU)  The GOJ owes pension fund managers billions of dollars due to 
the practice of withholding taxes which should have been refunded.  In 
fact, the significant performance in tax revenues relative to program f 
the fiscal year to date is largely due to this practice.  However, Mana 
the Fiscal Policy Unit at the Ministry of Finance told emboffs that it 
well known that the GOJ would be settling the backlog this fiscal year. 
is being suggested that the issue was blown out of proportion by a majo 
stakeholder who was paid a visit by the tax authorities to settle a tax 
 
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Disagreement Between Prime Minister & Finance Minister 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
9.(SBU)  Apparently there is truth to the rumor that Finance and Planni 
Minister Omar Davies had threatened to resign from the post during the 
Cabinet meeting of August 28.  Davies is said to have had a disagreemen 
with Prime Minister Simpson-Miller over the use of money from the 
National Housing Trust and the National Insurance Scheme.  Simpson- 
Miller, who has signaled her intention to use the funds to provide low 
interest rate loans to small businesses, wants significant changes to t 
current economic model.  The populist Prime Minister has been alluding 
to the need to not only balance the budget, but also to Qbalance livesQ 
However, Davies, who has developed quite a reputation internationally f 
smooth handling of the countryQs finances, is unwilling to undertake 
changes which could have serious economic and financial ramifications; 
he is said to have stood firm in his disagreement, even as Simpson-Mill 
reminded him of who was Prime Minister.  Davies apparently got his way, 
if only temporarily, when other cabinet members, fearing the likely fal 
(economic and political) from his resignation, persuaded the Prime 
Minister to keep him on.  It thus would appear that Davies, after hesit 
accepting Simpson-MillerQs demands not to introduce a tax package 
during the April budget presentations, has bounced back in the power 
struggle. 
 
10.(SBU)  Comment:  Simpson-Miller may not yet have full control of her 
Cabinet.  She, Davies, and Security Minister Peter Phillips were all st 
contenders for leadership of the ruling PeoplesQ National Party when 
former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson stepped down; all three still wiel 
significant power.  In order to confirm her own clear mandate and then 
make the personnel changes necessary to pursue populist policies to 
satisfy an expectant population, Simpson-Miller might prefer to call 
elections (which must be held by October 2007) earlier rather than late 
Dr. Rosalee Hamilton appears to be the preferred replacement for Davies 
while she would prefer the job of Central Bank Governor, indications ar 
she might end up at Finance.  The name of former Member of Parliament, 
State Minister, and financier Peter Bunting also has been floated; howe 
his chances could be diminished by close association with Davies.  End 
Comment. HEG