April 2015: An Economy Under Siege
Now, more than ever, business, households, and financial institutions, among others, require an assessment of the current state of the Puerto Rico economy. Our economy must measure its performance and the risks it faces now and in the immediate future within the context of global and US economies. Going into the 8th year of negative economic growth and fiscal distress, we face the greatest challenge yet: being accountable for the sad state of our internal affairs. Public debt is 104% of GNP, the liquidity of the Government Development Bank (GDB), PR’s fiscal agent is dangerously low, credit ratings of General Obligation Bonds (GO’s) and of key public corporations in charge of main utility services, such as electricity, water, ports, highways, and health are now at “junk” investment grade. Investment for growth is very low. The Governor has proposed a major overhaul of the tax system with lower income tax rates and a new VAT consumption tax. This Pulse provides a snapshot of main sectors, forecast, risks, and challenges ahead thru 2017.