17 Quotes by Agost Benard

We have yet to see how the law is going to be implemented, how much revenues would it generate and how these additional collections would be spent.

The outlook could revert to stable if substantial and tangible progress is achieved in maintaining the official cease- fire.

What we would look for is a gradual phasing out of the fuel subsidy and a more effective and coordinated policy response from the government and monetary authorities as and when shocks arise. Shocks such as high oil prices, a classic case of external shock, caught the government by surprise.

have tended to be slow, reactive, and incremental over the past year.

Local and provincial governance needs to be improved. There will have to be hard budget constraints.

The ratings on Sri Lanka are vulnerable due to the country's high government debt and ongoing large fiscal deficits.

The fact that the suspension is lifted is obviously very positive news.

The government will respond in a more prompt and appropriate way. They will be in a better position to handle whatever shock may come their way.

What is important is the process of charter change itself as well as the outcome, whether it will materialize or not, does not affect this policy making economic reforms, especially fiscal consolidation.