By Seedy S. Fofanah, former Lecturer at the University of the Gambia
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent economic outlook on the Gambia is very bleak. IMF speaks and writes in a cover of diplomacy, utilizing an ancient method of ‘carrot and stick’. The organization is a private enterprise, and as such has an overriding objective of safeguarding the wealth of its investors. IMF will never categorically say, the Gambian economy requires urgent overhaul, neither will they also paint everything as good.
The big question that the IMF failed to ask is why State House tasks itself with making press release on foreign currency markets regulations instead of the Central Bank of the country.
The recent government interference in foreign currency market and management caused an upset even to diplomatic economist at the IMF whose recent analysis is a serious cause for concern. Gambians will bear the brunt of what awaits the tiny economy. IMF has lots of dangerous spanners in its workshop, and the Gambia’s smaller size is no barrier for them to use it on us.
The end product means ordinary Gambians are feeling the hurt and pains–financially, economically and socially. The end to fuel subside is just the beginning. President Jammeh should end his 19-year rule and allow fresh ideas to flow into our national government. His dictatorial governance will continue to wrought hardship and pain for Gambians.
Below is the IMF’s latest diagnosis of the Gambia’s sick economy:
IMF Executive Board said that; “The Gambian economy has generally performed well over the past several years, although it is still recovering from the 2011 drought. The drought led to a large drop in crop production and a sharp contraction in real Gross Domestic Production (GDP) in 2011. Although growth has been picking up, weaknesses in the balance of payments have persisted, leading to depreciation pressures on the Gambian dalasi. Most recently, inconsistent economic policies have intensified these pressures”.Large fiscal deficits—financed mostly by domestic borrowing—have added to the government’s heavy debt burden. Interest on debt has consumed a rising share of government resources in recent years, reaching 22½ percent of government revenues in 2012, most of which was paid on domestic debt. As outlined in the authorities’ Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE) launched in December 2011, the government aims to gradually reduce the fiscal deficit and ease its heavy debt burden.
Prior to the drought, The Gambia made significant progress in the fight against poverty; however, poverty is still widespread. Execution of the PAGE, supported by commitments from development partners, would help to further reduce poverty, especially in rural areas, given a strong focus on agriculture.
The banking sector remains adequately capitalized, following a two-step increase in the minimum capital requirement implemented at end-2010 and end-2012; however, non-performing loans have remained high. Despite near-term uncertainties, the medium-term outlook for growth is generally favorable. Real GDP growth is projected to increase slightly to 6-6½ percent in 2013, driven by a further recovery in agriculture. Inflation has been rising, but is expected to fall back to around 5 percent a year over the medium term, as the Central Bank of The Gambia exercises monetary restraint. The main downside risk arises from possible fiscal slippages. There is also strong upside potential if critical reforms are achieved.
Executive Board Assessment
The Executive Directors welcomed The Gambia’s ongoing economic recovery from the 2011 drought and commended the authorities for achieving robust growth and significant poverty reduction in recent years. However, Directors expressed concern that recent fiscal slippages and inconsistent policies have increased risks and vulnerabilities. A return to the path envisaged by the authorities’ Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE) is needed to regain stability and foster inclusive growth.
Directors noted that recent exchange rate directives have disrupted the foreign exchange market, encouraged capital flight, and dampened remittances from abroad. They cautioned that a prolonged overvalued exchange rate would risk damaging The Gambia’s international competitiveness. Directors therefore urged the authorities to maintain a flexible exchange rate policy, which has served The Gambia well, and to tighten monetary and fiscal policies to ensure stability and preserve adequate reserve levels.
Directors considered that undertaking the strong fiscal adjustment outlined in the PAGE would reduce domestic borrowing needs and the cost and risks of the heavy public debt burden. They commended the successful implementation of the VAT and the progress made in phasing out fuel subsidies. However, further tax reforms will be needed over the medium term to strengthen revenues and address costly tax expenditures, while improving international competitiveness.
Directors encouraged the authorities to enhance the budget process, strengthen expenditure control, and rein in extra-budgetary expenditure. They welcomed recent progress in managing the government’s external debt burden, and agreed that the authorities should continue to rely on grants or highly concessional financing to minimize exposure to external debt risks.
Directors called for a consistent implementation of monetary policy. They encouraged using market-based monetary policy tools rather than reserve requirements on deposits, noting that a gradual return to lower reserve requirements would help lower the high cost of financial intermediation. Directors considered that the banking system is well capitalized and liquid, and welcomed progress in areas of supervision, capacity building, and cross-border monitoring. However, still-high non-performing loans require vigilance, including through intensive supervision for individual banks as needed.
Directors noted that poor economic data remains an impediment to economic policymaking. They welcomed ongoing initiatives, together with development partners, to strengthen economic statistics, notably for the balance of payments, which will require adequate funding and staffing.
Ends