IMF says reforms to help Bahrain cut deficits

Bahrain needs a comprehensive package of reforms to reduce its fiscal deficits over the medium term, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, as the island kingdom seeks to secure crucial support from rich neighbours to avoid a currency devaluation.

“Despite planned fiscal consolidation measures, fiscal and external deficits are projected to continue over the medium term, due to the large and growing interest bill,” IMF’s Executive Board said in a report on Sunday.

“Public debt is expected to increase further over the medium term and reserves are projected to remain low.”

Bahrain, one of the most vulnerable Gulf Arab economies to lower oil prices, confirmed last month that it was in talks with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait for support that would help reduce ballooning debt and shore up foreign-exchange reserves.

Bahrain said last month that it was in talks with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait for support that would help reduce its ballooning debt.

The country hired investment bank Lazard Ltd. to advise on how to repair its strained public finances, sources said earlier this month.

Direct, corporate taxes

The IMF emphasised the need to “introduce direct taxation, including a corporate income tax, while containing the public wage bill and targeting subsidies to the poorest” and said Bahrain’s exchange rate peg to the dollar “remains appropriate for the economy.”

The IMF said it looked forward to the newly established debt management office to develop a contingent financing strategy to mitigate financing risks and costs.