The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) continues its proactive approach to legislative reform, building upon the recent enactment of the Security Interest in Movable Properties Act. Currently, the Insolvency Bill, having completed its initial reading in the House of Parliament, stands as the next significant step. This bill aims to offer individuals and businesses grappling with economic challenges the opportunity to restructure their financial obligations with creditors. Sharma Mathurin serves as the Deputy Director at the NCPC.
“The main goal of this piece of legislation and reform project is to balance the interest between the financial institution and borrowers.”
One of the prevailing misconceptions regarding Insolvency Legislation is the belief that it empowers lending institutions with increased authority to pursue the assets of debtors in default. Mathurin clarified that this notion is inaccurate and proceeded to outline several crucial protections embedded within the legislation.
“The main objectives of this legislation or this reform project is to ensure that there are proper laws in place and that there is an established Office of the Receiver or Supervisor of Insolvency to ensure that no one party exercises any pressure. Now, when you have insolvency legislation and an insolvency legal framework in place, what it does is, it ensures that the financial institutions are able to recover the monies lent to the public. And this has a downward impact on the cost of borrowing or simply put the interest rates on your mortgages, on consumer vehicle loans will be a lot less.”
The legislation encompasses the establishment of the Office of the Supervisor of Insolvency, tasked with acting as a neutral arbiter to harmonize the interests of both creditors and debtors.
“They’re responsible for administering the Insolvency Bill. They will be responsible for the licensing of Insolvency Practitioners and one of their main functions is to coordinate the consumer proposals. For example, if you are not able to make a specific payment on your mortgage or your loan then you have the Office of the Supervisor or the Receiver of Insolvency present to arbitrate or help you with the negotiation and ensure that the bank does not exercise excessive pressure on the borrower.”
The development of this legislation has seen extensive engagement from various stakeholders, with technical assistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). According to Mathurin, the legislation is anticipated to yield favorable economic outcomes, including a reduction in non-performing loans within the financial sector. She highlighted that comparable legislation has proven successful in other jurisdictions.