articles | 15 January 2013

Officials arrive for Pimco discussions

MEMBERS of a steering committee tasked with overseeing the due diligence on bank portfolios were expected on the island yesterday to iron out differences with Cypriot authorities over the methodology used. The due diligence will determine the capital needs of the financial sector in line with a preliminary bailout agreement.

The due diligence will determine the capital needs of the financial sector in line with a preliminary bailout agreement.
The results of the review, carried out by US-based investment management firm Pimco, are expected on Friday.
"The members of the steering committee will be in Cyprus to discuss some elements of Pimco’s methodology for which there is disagreement," Central Bank spokeswoman Aliki Stylianou said yesterday.
The steering committee includes representatives from Cyprus, the European Commission, the European Central Bank, the European Banking Authority, the European Stability Mechanism and the IMF, as an observer.
The total amount could determine whether Cyprus public debt will be sustainable.
Preliminary reports suggest banks will need anything between €7.3 billion and €10 billion.
Under the worst-case scenario, an assessment Cyprus hopes to avoid, the total bill for a bailout could rise to €17 billion.
A potential rescue bill of €17 billion, roughly equivalent to its entire economic output, has deepened concerns among EU partners about Cyprus’ debts, and some doubt it would be able to repay the aid without more concessions from lenders.
With fiscal needs, that would push Cyprus’ eventual debt burden to 140 per cent of GDP.
An unsustainable debt would almost certainly mean more austerity that will inevitably include privatisations.
There has also been talk of a write-down or hair-cut of Cypriot debt but economists say a debt restructuring would be futile in Cyprus' case as the majority of its debt is held by the domestic banks a bailout would be aimed at saving.
European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn was quoted as saying on Friday that a 'haircut' was not under consideration.

Source: CyprusMail
 

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