Mr. Kelvin Sergeant
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Transcript Mr. Kelvin Sergeant
FACING THE ISSUES
TURNING THE ECONOMY AROUND
Comments By Kelvin Sergeant
1
The Local and International
Environment
Budget delivered against the background of
International uncertainties, and tremendous risks
locally
Economy remains flat. Only the energy sector is
growing.
Business Confidence remained low
Crime a serious problem
Budget presented against the background of manifesto
promises, so certain expectations prevailed.
Inflation now double digits (Food Inflation )
Budget Highlights
The Fiscal Accounts
Budget estimates total expenditure of $49 billion and
total revenue of $41.3Billion
An overall Deficit of $7.7 billion is projected or 5.8% of
GDP
Total debt to GDP estimated at 49%
Revenue Projections Comprise $15.2 billion from the
energy sector and $26.1 billion from the non-energy
sector.
BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS
The 2011 Budget calculation was based on real GDP
growth projection of 2 percent, an average inflation
rate of 7 percent, an oil price of US$65 per barrel and
gas price of US$2.75 per mmbtu.
Expenditure Breakdown
Education and Training will receive $8.3 billion
Works, Transport, Public Utilities – Infrastructure will
get $5.9 Billion
Health - $4.3 Billion
National Security – 4.7 billion
Agriculture - $1.8 billion
Housing - $1.8 billion
FIRST ISSUE
How much more fiscal deficits can Trinidad and
Tobago entertain?
Can we expect the Total debt to be contained at 50% of
GDP or is it expected to increase in the future? What
will be the implication for T&Ts Credit Rating By
Standard and Poor’s or Moody’s?
Other Measures
No New taxes/Improvements in oil and gas incentives/
CLICO/HCU Bailout
No Smelter
No Rapid rail
Capital market initiatives
Divestment/Rationalization of state sector
Efficiency in the Public Service
Measures to increase competitiveness
Measures Con’t
Tax Amnesty
Property Tax axed and Lands and Building Taxes re-
introduced at original rates and Values
Investment Ceiling Removed for Free Zone Companies
Incentives for ESOPs
New Energy Tax Regime to encourage
exploration/Investments
Measures Con’t
Tax allowance for Contribution to the Children’s Life
Fund
First Time Home Owner Allowance
Manufacturing Allowances
Increased pensions and Minimum pensions to Public
servants
Pensions
Where Person Receives Monthly Income
of
Pension Entitlement
Not exceeding $500
$3,000
Exceeding $500 but not exceeding $1,400
$2,550
Exceeding $1,450but not exceeding $1,650
$2,350
Exceeding $1,650 but not exceeding $1,800
$2,200
Exceeding $1,800 but not exceeding $2,000
$2,000
Exceeding $2,000 but not exceeding $2,200
$1,800
Exceeding $2,200 but not exceeding $2,400
$1,600
Exceeding $2,400 but not exceeding $2,600
$1,400
Exceeding $2,600 but not exceeding $2,800
$1,200
Measures
Go Green initiatives
CNG
Solar Water Heating
Wind Energy
Energy Audits
Entrepreneurship
The 2011 Budget statement places tremendous reliance
on entrepreneurship and the private sector as seen in
the no. of initiatives
Diversification
Opening New Economic Space – 5 Poles
Free Zones
Agriculture
Small Business development and Innovation
Real Estate/Construction
Tourism
My Comments On Budget in
General
CLICO/ HCU Bailout is a welcomed intervention but
what is the true story with respect to the CL Financial
group in particular and the MOU which was signed
last year between the Gov’t, the Central Bank and
CLICO. What is the value of the assets of the CL
financial group and How Much of those assets are now
controlled by the State?
Financial Sector Challenges
Rise in non-performing loans and contraction in
commercial credit
Confidence Issues
The Role of the Capital market- Can we ensure wide
participation when companies are divested or will
shares be tightly held?
Manufacturing Sector and Tourism
How effective will the Measures announced in the 2011
budget as it relates to Manufacturing Sector?
Are we tapping the full potential of the Tourism
Sector?
Some Concerns
Implementation Challenge
What are the Milestones?
Can the measures announced and the sectors “picked”
ensure a resumption to Growth in the shortest possible
time?
How do we ensure that the inflation problem is not
further exacerbated, give the $20B injection into the
economy?