Palestinian Authority PM says cost-cutting measures needed to cut $1.1b. deficit; officials say more than $150m. of US aid frozen.
By REUTERSPalestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad 311 (R)(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman)
The Palestinian Authority will have to raise income tax and cut costs in 2012 to counter lower-than-expected foreign aid donations, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has said.The authority's growing financial difficulties coincide with a period of high political uncertainty for the Palestinians, with long-running attempts to end a feud between rival factions in the West Bank and Gaza floundering.RELATED:'Fayyad mulling PA presidential run'Fayyad: Unity, non-violence necessary for statehoodFayyad had promised to stand down to help reconcile the two Palestinian Territories. But with no agreement in sight, he has drawn up 2012 budget plans and warned that sacrifices will be needed to bolster already battered accounts."We have prepared a package of measures aimed at reducing the deficit ... and reduce the likelihood of the crisis continuing in 2012," he said late on Sunday.
Fayyad said income tax rates for high earners would have to double to 30 percent from 15 percent, while more entities would have to pay tax on their operations.Government spending would also be cut and some of the PA's 153,000 public sector workers might be forced into early retirement.The Palestinian Workers Union immediately threatened to fight such measures.After running up a $350-million-deficit in 2010, the PA plunged $1.1 billion into the red in 2011. Fayyad said his plan would reduce the 2012 deficit to $750 million.The Palestinians had planned for foreign aid of about $1 billion in 2011, but Fayyad said just under $750 million had arrived. Financial support from the United States, the European Union and Arab states allows the PA to pay the salaries of the public workers, including teachers and security forces.
However, the United States abruptly cut off funding last year after PA President Mahmoud Abbas went against the will of both Washington and Israel by demanding recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations.Officials say more than $150 million of US aid is frozen.Fayyad said his government owed private sector contractors, including medical suppliers, about $400 million. It also owed $1.1 billion to local banks, and could not borrow any more, he said.In a report issued last September, the World Bank said progress made by the Palestinians in building institutions for statehood could be undermined by their budget crisis.It said the PA had made substantial progress towards implementing the objectives of a two-year plan to prepare for full independence, but said the growing cash shortage could jeopardise its efforts.Fayyad, appointed by Abbas in 2007, is credited with revitalising the economy. But Hamas accuses him of helping Israel to blockade Gaza and have never recognised him.
