The National Bank of Poland (NBP), which cut its rate by 50 basis points last year, added that its current level of interest rates were still conducive to keeping the economy on a sustainable growth path in light of the latest inflation report.
The latest forecast by the Economic Institute, used by the central bank, forecast 2016 inflation in a range of minus 0.9 percent to 0.2 percent, down from the November forecast of 0.4 to 1.8 percent.
In February Poland's consumer price inflation rate fell to minus 0.7 percent from minus 0.5 percent in January, extending the continuing spell of deflation that began in July 2014, and below the central bank's target of 2.50 percent, plus/minus 1 percentage point.
For 2017 the central bank expects inflation of between 0.2 percent and 2.3 percent, down from the previous forecast of 0.4 percent to 2.5 percent, and in 2018 inflation of 0.4 - 2.8 percent.
While Poland remains mired in deflation, its economy is growing, helped by rising employment, an expected increase in wages and social benefits. Nevertheless, the central bank said the downside risks to the global economy remain a source of uncertainty.
For 2016 Poland's Gross Domestic Product is seen expanding between 3.0 and 4.5 percent, up from the November forecast of 2.3 - 4.3 percent, and in 2017 by 2.6 to 4.8 percent, up from 2.4 to 4.6 percent. For 2018 the economy is seen growing between 2.1 and 4.4 percent.
In the fourth quarter of last year, Poland's GDP grew by an annual rate of 3.9 percent, up from 3.5 percent in the third quarter.
In its statement, the monetary policy council made no reference to its new composition and a new governor. The six-year term of the current governor, Marek Belka, expires on June 11.
A favorite to replace Belka is Adam Glapinski, a member of the council from 2010 until February this year, who was appointed to the bank's management board on March 1.
This year eight of the MPC's 10 members have been appointed by the the president and the ruling Law and Justice Party, raising concerns that the central bank's independence is being undermined.
The National Bank of Poland issued the following statement:
"The Council decided to keep the NBP interest rates unchanged:
reference rate at 1.50%;
lombard rate at 2.50%;
deposit rate at 0.50%;
rediscount rate at 1.75%.
Global economic growth remains moderate and the uncertainty about its outlook has recently increased. Economic recovery is under way in the euro area, yet driven mainly by consumer demand amid weak investment and export growth. In the United States, GDP growth slowed down in the second half of 2015, following several years of recovery, and there is a risk of further economic weakening. In turn, economic growth continues to decelerate in China, while Russia and Brazil remain in recession. Concerns that activity in the emerging market economies might weaken further and the threat that this might translate into lower activity in the advanced economies currently pose the greatest risk for global economic conditions.
Uncertainty about the global economy has affected financial market sentiment abroad, leading to a decline in the prices of many financial assets in recent months. Prices of oil and other commodities, including agricultural commodities, also remain low. In consequence, consumer price growth in many economies, including in the euro area, is close to zero, and inflation forecasts for the coming years are being revised down.
The European Central Bank lowered interest rates in March and increased the scale of quantitative easing. In the United States, despite an increase in interest rate in December and indications of a further increase in the coming quarters, uncertainty about the future direction of monetary policy has risen.
In Poland, stable economic growth continues and data for 2015 Q4 has even confirmed a slight acceleration in GDP growth. Domestic demand continues to be the key driver of GDP growth, supported by stable consumption growth and rising investment. The rise in demand is supported by favourable labour market conditions, positive consumer sentiment, sound financial standing of enterprises and their high capacity utilization, as well as lending growth.
As the output gap remains negative and nominal wage growth is only moderate, there is no inflationary pressure in the economy. Annual consumer price growth and producer price growth remain negative. Yet, the persistence of deflation results mainly from the strong fall in global energy commodity prices in recent quarters. Inflation expectations are still very low. The persisting deflation has not yet adversely affected decisions of economic agents.
The Council adopted Inflation Report – March 2016."
www.CentralBankNews.info
reference rate at 1.50%;
lombard rate at 2.50%;
deposit rate at 0.50%;
rediscount rate at 1.75%.
Global economic growth remains moderate and the uncertainty about its outlook has recently increased. Economic recovery is under way in the euro area, yet driven mainly by consumer demand amid weak investment and export growth. In the United States, GDP growth slowed down in the second half of 2015, following several years of recovery, and there is a risk of further economic weakening. In turn, economic growth continues to decelerate in China, while Russia and Brazil remain in recession. Concerns that activity in the emerging market economies might weaken further and the threat that this might translate into lower activity in the advanced economies currently pose the greatest risk for global economic conditions.
Uncertainty about the global economy has affected financial market sentiment abroad, leading to a decline in the prices of many financial assets in recent months. Prices of oil and other commodities, including agricultural commodities, also remain low. In consequence, consumer price growth in many economies, including in the euro area, is close to zero, and inflation forecasts for the coming years are being revised down.
The European Central Bank lowered interest rates in March and increased the scale of quantitative easing. In the United States, despite an increase in interest rate in December and indications of a further increase in the coming quarters, uncertainty about the future direction of monetary policy has risen.
In Poland, stable economic growth continues and data for 2015 Q4 has even confirmed a slight acceleration in GDP growth. Domestic demand continues to be the key driver of GDP growth, supported by stable consumption growth and rising investment. The rise in demand is supported by favourable labour market conditions, positive consumer sentiment, sound financial standing of enterprises and their high capacity utilization, as well as lending growth.
As the output gap remains negative and nominal wage growth is only moderate, there is no inflationary pressure in the economy. Annual consumer price growth and producer price growth remain negative. Yet, the persistence of deflation results mainly from the strong fall in global energy commodity prices in recent quarters. Inflation expectations are still very low. The persisting deflation has not yet adversely affected decisions of economic agents.
The Council became acquainted with the projection of inflation and GDP prepared
by the Economic Institute, which is one of the inputs to the Council’s decisions on NBP
interest rates. In line with the March projection based on the NECMOD model –
prepared under the assumption of unchanged NBP interest rates and taking into account
data available until 23 February 2016 (projection cut-off date) – there is a 50-percent
probability that the annual price growth will be in the range of -0.9 – 0.2% in 2016
(against 0.4 – 1.8% in the November 2015 projection), 0.2 – 2.3% in 2017 (compared to 0.4
– 2.5%) and 0.4 – 2.8% in 2018. At the same time, the annual GDP growth – in line with
this projection – will be with a 50-percent probability in the range of 3.0 – 4.5% in 2016
(against 2.3 – 4.3% in the November 2015 projection), 2.6 – 4.8% in 2017 (compared to 2.4
– 4.6%) and 2.1 – 4.4% in 2018.
In the Council’s assessment, price growth will remain negative in the coming quarters due to the earlier strong fall in global commodity prices. At the same time, a gradual increase in core inflation is expected. It will be supported by stable economic growth, including an anticipated rise in consumer demand growth driven by rising employment, forecasted acceleration of wage growth and an increase in social benefits. This notwithstanding, the downside risks to the global economic conditions are a source of uncertainty for the domestic economy.
The Council continues to assess that – given the available data and forecasts – the current level of interest rates is conducive to keeping the Polish economy on the sustainable growth path and maintaining macroeconomic balance.
In the Council’s assessment, price growth will remain negative in the coming quarters due to the earlier strong fall in global commodity prices. At the same time, a gradual increase in core inflation is expected. It will be supported by stable economic growth, including an anticipated rise in consumer demand growth driven by rising employment, forecasted acceleration of wage growth and an increase in social benefits. This notwithstanding, the downside risks to the global economic conditions are a source of uncertainty for the domestic economy.
The Council continues to assess that – given the available data and forecasts – the current level of interest rates is conducive to keeping the Polish economy on the sustainable growth path and maintaining macroeconomic balance.
www.CentralBankNews.info
0 comments:
Post a Comment