Turnpage

Please visit our sponsors

RSS Feed
 

Current News & Press

 

Advertisement

The Bahamas Investor

News & Press Archives

 
The Bahamas Investor on facebookFollow The Bahamas Investor on TwitterSubscribe to RSS feeds from The Bahamas Investor
HOME > 
News & Press > 
Moody’s likely downgrade ‘not unexpected’

In a statement by the Ministry of Finance the government has said that credit rating agency Moody's decision to place The Bahamas on review for a downgrade was "not unexpected" given the "undesirable state of the fiscal situation". Read the full statement here. 

Source:
Date:
Updated:
TheBahamasInvestor.com
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Thursday, July 13, 2017

Here follows a July 12 statement by the Ministry Of Finance on Moody’s placing The Bahamas on review for a downgrade:

The Ministry of Finance takes note of the statement by Moody’s with respect to placing The Bahamas on review for a downgrade. This action, in itself, was not unexpected, given the undesirable state of the fiscal situation, as detailed in the government’s 2017/18 Budget Communication.


This administration, however, is moving expeditiously to address the fiscal situation which has given rise to this credit rating review exercise and possible downgrade.

These steps include the planned introduction of Fiscal Responsibility legislation, new procurement regulations and a comprehensive public expenditure review, with the objective of achieving savings and ensuring consistency with the government’s policy priorities.

The risk posed to the nation’s fiscal position by the threat of weather-related events is also under review. Work on all of these areas has commenced, and the results are expected before the end of this fiscal year.

In supporting initiatives, the government’s efforts to strengthen revenue administration are receiving renewed focus, especially in the areas of real property taxes, customs, VAT and business license administration and enforcement.

Their effectiveness will be reinforced by the government’s plan to introduce a Revenue Administration Bill, to enhance the mechanisms available for dealing with tax delinquencies.

In addition to addressing the fiscal challenges we face, this administration will tackle the challenges to economic growth that confront us by moving quickly to improve the ease of doing business in The Bahamas, addressing structural impediments to growth and attracting foreign direct investment that has a demonstrably positive impact on the local economy.

While this review is an unfortunate development, it serves to underscore the imperative of taking decisive and timely measures to secure the fiscal health of The Bahamas and by extension, the future welfare of all Bahamians.

The Bahamas celebrated 44 years of independence this week with an evening of music and entertainment followed by spectacular fireworks. Watch a ZNS Network news report here.

The government of The Bahamas will use smart technology to establish the archipelago as a smart country, beginning with the island of New Providence, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

The Bahamas Investor
Administrative Links
  


  © 2024 ETIENNE DUPUCH JR PUBLICATIONS LTD