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Tuesday, January 03, 2006
RP sees inflation rate to hover at 4-5% in 2007
The government announced last week that the official target for average annual inflation for 2007 has been set at 4 to 5 percent, the same as that for 2006.
According to a BSP press release, the 2007 inflation target was set jointly by the Development Budget and Coordination Committee, an inter-agency economic planning body, and the BSP.
The inflation target is consistent with the govern-ment’s growth objective of 6.1 to 6.5 percent for 2007 for real gross domestic product and with a gradually decelerating path towards a low inflation rate over the medium term.
Inflation targeting is an approach to monetary policy that involves the use of a publicly announced inflation target set by the government, which the BSP commits to achieve in two years.
Promoting price stability is the BSP’s main priority, and the target serves as a guide for the public’s expectations about future inflation, allowing them to plan ahead with greater certainty.
Assessment
In its most recent assessment of the inflation environment, the BSP noted that the balance of economic evidence supports an unchanged policy setting.
The prevailing combination of generally favorable supply-side and demand-side factors should help stabilize inflation expectations in the near term.
In particular, the recent easing of energy prices, the strengthening of the peso, and the ongoing harvest season alongside normal wea-ther conditions are likely to hold back inflationary pressures.
Also, the deceleration of liquidity growth and the continued easing of core inflation imply a relative absence of demand-based inflation pressures.
This is consistent with the observed slowdown in aggregate demand, particularly in consumer spending, which remains the main driver of economic growth.
Risks
Nevertheless, the risks to inflation still remain.
The continued tightness in surplus global oil production capacity amid strong demand raises the possibility that global energy prices may surge again and create uncertainty for the inflation outlook.
Potential shifts in the public’s inflation expectations can also become a risk as inflation remains higher relative to the government target.
At the same time, the possibility of second-round effects on wage-setting and the presence of ample liquidity in the financial system could affect the inflation outlook.
The BSP remains fully committed to achieving the government’s inflation target through appropriate adjustments in its monetary policy instruments.
Over the policy horizon, the stance of monetary policy of the BSP will continue to emphasize caution with respect to the risks to price stability. (PR)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 3, 2006 issue)
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