Fitch Ratings-Hong Kong/London: The Kuwaiti government's resignation and subsequent cabinet reshuffle point to political frictions that could delay new debt issuance and weigh on broader fiscal and economic reforms, Fitch Ratings says. Kuwait has been the slowest reformer in the Gulf Cooperation Council in recent years, partly due to these frictions and partly due to its exceptionally large sovereign assets, which could finance decades' worth of fiscal deficits.
Parliamentary authorisation to issue or refinance debt expired in 2017 and governments have been unable to secure approval for renewed borrowing. We had assumed this would happen in the fiscal year to end-March 2020 (FY19/20), but given continued political acrimony, we now think it will be delayed until FY20/21.
We estimate Kuwait's central government gross financing need at about USD23 billion (17% of GDP) for FY19/20, despite our expectation of a roughly balanced budget. This reflects the government's legal obligation to transfer 10% of its revenue into the Reserve Fund for Future Generations (RFFG) and the fact that principal or income from the RFFG is not available for financing without special legislation. We estimate that RFFG foreign assets were about USD500 billion at end-FY18/19 and assume these would be made available for financing if required, although this would generate further controversy in parliament.
The government's financing needs are currently being met entirely from the General Reserve Fund (less than USD60 billion in estimated assets at end-FY18/19).
Rising financing requirements will further deplete easily available reserves without measures to increase revenue or cut spending, even if debt issuance resumes in FY20/21. We forecast a budget deficit of over 5% of GDP by FY21/22 (including estimated investment income) as average oil prices fall further, increasing the annual central government financing need to USD27 billion. Implementation of excise or value-added tax remains a remote prospect, subsidy reforms have been limited, and the government has struggled to contain current spending through executive measures while managing an uncooperative parliament.
https://infogram.com/fw-kuwait-fiscal-reserves-nov-2019-1hd12yqxkr8w4km
In November, Kuwait's Prime Minister of more than seven years resigned and refused to be reappointed. The Amir subsequently replaced the caretaker Interior and Defence ministers and asked the Foreign Minister to form a government. This followed attempts in parliament to secure a no-confidence vote in the Interior Minister (a senior royal family member) over alleged financial irregularities. The Minister of Defence Sheikh Nasser (at 71 years old, the eldest son of the Amir) had called for an investigation by the public prosecutor and boycotted cabinet meetings over this.
Conflicts between an appointed government and an elected parliament are a recurring feature of Kuwaiti politics. But in our view, the latest public dispute involving senior royals reflects an underlying struggle for influence ahead of the November 2020 election and an eventual leadership transition. Kuwait's Amir, 90-year-old Sheikh Sabah, retains firm control of government affairs, but recently underwent medical treatment in the US. Crown Prince Nawaf is 82 years old and is a half-brother of the Amir.
Consultations on the composition of the new Cabinet are continuing. Reform will remain slow unless the composition of the new government resolves underlying power struggles and enjoys broad support among MPs and different sections of society. Neither of these is likely, in our view, partly because there are no political parties in Kuwait and the government's support base of individual MPs shifts from issue to issue.
https://infogram.com/fw-kuwait-fiscal-reform-nov-2019-1hd12yqxk18x4km
Kuwait's rating of 'AA'/Stable is underpinned by its exceptionally strong balance sheet, with sovereign net foreign assets of nearly 500% of GDP. Nevertheless, this buffer could be eroded by sustained low oil prices or an inability to address structural drains on public finances from a generous welfare state and large public sector.
-Ends-
Contact:
Media Relations: Peter Fitzpatrick, London, Tel: +44 20 3530 1103, Email: peter.fitzpatrick@thefitchgroup.com
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
