Eastern Caribbean Currency Union: 2019 Discussion on Common Policies of Member Countries-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union

March 5, 2020

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Eastern Caribbean Currency Union: 2019 Discussion on Common Policies of Member Countries-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2020) accessed November 21, 2024

Summary

This paper presents IMF’s 2019 Discussion on Common Policies of Member Countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). ECCU’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated from 3/4 percent in 2017 to 3 3/4 percent in 2018, reflecting buoyancy in the tourism sector, sizable Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) inflows, and a recovery from the 2017 hurricanes in Anguilla and Dominica, which were supported by large public investments in reconstruction. Fiscal deficits increased in 2018–2019, but they have remained moderate. Efforts are needed to streamline, and re-balance tax incentives based on clear principles consistent with international best practices. External imbalances are sizable and significant financial sector vulnerabilities affect both banks and non-banks. Growth is projected to gradually moderate toward its long-term average of 2 1/4 percent as the cyclical momentum normalizes and CBI inflows ease. These trends would also contribute to wider fiscal deficits, ending the downward drift in public debt dynamics. The outlook is clouded by downside risks, including a possible intensification of natural disasters and financial sector weaknesses.

Subject: Banking, Credit bureaus, Digital currencies, Environment, Financial markets, Natural disasters, Public debt, Tax incentives, Taxes, Technology

Keywords: Article IV consultation discussion, Authority, Caribbean, CR, Credit bureaus, Digital currencies, ECCB authority, ECCU country, ECCU price aggregate, ECCU region, ECCU work program, E-government platform, Global, ISCR, Natural disasters, Tax incentives

Publication Details

Pages:

79
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Country Report No. 2020/070
Stock No:

1ECCEA2020001
ISBN:

9781513536224
ISSN:

1934-7685

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