1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910791157003321

Titolo

Tonga : : Staff Report for the 2014 Article IV Consultation

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Washington, D.C. : , : International Monetary Fund, , 2014

ISBN

1-4983-6399-7

1-4983-5647-8

1-4983-2695-1

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (72 p.)

Collana

IMF Staff Country Reports

Disciplina

338.99612

Soggetti

Economic development - Tonga

Fiscal policy - Tonga

Banks and Banking

Exports and Imports

Money and Monetary Policy

Public Finance

Natural Disasters

Macroeconomics

Statistics

International Lending and Debt Problems

Debt

Debt Management

Sovereign Debt

Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit: General

Monetary Policy

Banks

Depository Institutions

Micro Finance Institutions

Mortgages

National Government Expenditures and Related Policies: General

Fiscal Policy

International economics

Public finance & taxation

Monetary economics

Banking

Econometrics & economic statistics

External debt

Public debt



Public and publicly-guaranteed external debt

International reserves

Public financial management (PFM)

Central banks

Debts, External

Debts, Public

Credit

Foreign exchange reserves

Banks and banking

Finance, Public

Fiscal policy

Tonga

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di contenuto

Cover; CONTENTS; THE MACROECONOMIC SITUATION; A. Authorities' Views; COPING WITH EXTRA FINANCING NEEDS; A. Background; B. Staff Views; C. Authorities' Views; REINVIGORATING FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION; A. Background; B. Staff Views; C. Authorities' Views; REVERSING THE TREND OF SLOWER GROWTH; A. Background; B. Staff Views; C. Authorities' Views; STAFF APPRAISAL; BOXES; 1. The Macroeconomic Impact of the Cyclone; 2. Macroeconomic Implications of Hosting the 2019 Pacific Games; 3. Exchange Rate Assessment; 4. Previous Fund Recommendations; FIGURES; 1. Stylized Facts; 2. Economic Developments

3. Exchange Rate and Fiscal Policy Developments4. Monetary Policy and Financial Sector Developments; TABLES; 1. Tonga: Selected Economic Indicators, 2008/09-2014/15; 2. Tonga: Summary of Government Operations, 2008/09-2014/15; 2.a: Summary of Government Operations, 2008/09-2014/15; 3. Tonga: Depository Corporations Survey, 2008/09-2013/14; 4. Tonga: Balance of Payments Summary, 2008/09-2014/15; 5. Tonga: Medium-Term Scenario, 2009/10-2018/19; 6. Tonga: Financial Soundness Indicators, 2008/09-2012/13; 7. Tonga: Millennium Development Goals, 1990-2012; APPENDIX; I. Risk Assessment Matrix

CONTENTSFUND RELATIONS; PACIFIC FINANCIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTRE (PFTAC) COUNTRY STRATEGY 2013-14; WORLD BANK-IMF COLLABORATION; RELATIONS WITH THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK; STATISTICAL ISSUES

Sommario/riassunto

KEY ISSUES  Context: Tonga’s economy is rebounding, partially owing to a recovery in agricultural exports. The   outlook for tourism is also improving. The reconstruction from a recent cyclone is expected to lead   to both a temporary boost to growth and additional financing needs.  Risks to the inflation outlook and the external position are low.    Fiscal Policy: The projected fiscal cost relating to the cyclone will be largely met by confirmed   funding mainly from donor agencies. In the near term, the authorities should focus on   reconstruction activities, while a medium-term fiscal strategy should aim at gradually stabilizing   and then reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio, in order to improve Tonga’s



moderate risk of debt   distress. This will require careful execution of investments related to the 2019 South Pacific   Games.    Monetary Policy: The deleveraging cycle of the Tongan banks appears to be ending, and thus National   Reserve Bank of Tonga should prepare to gradually withdraw liquidity and tighten monetary   conditions once the current signs of a recovery of credit growth are confirmed. The authorities   plan to lower the cost of credit through supportive credit policies, including by commercializing   the Tonga Development Bank. The successful implementation of such plan requires sound safeguards,   including a robust governance structure and firm risk management and accountability frameworks.    Structural Policy: Structural reforms to facilitate the functioning of credit markets need to be   implemented with renewed vigor. The authorities’ intention to gradually phase out existing ad hoc   tax incentives is well placed. The promotion of foreign direct investments should focus on   business-enabling structural reforms, while the use of tax incentives should  be minimized and well targeted.