The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) unexpectedly cut its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 13.5 per cent on Saturday, even as subsequent data showed that inflationary pressures are nowhere close to subsiding.
The move came out of the blue, startling market participants and economists who thought the central bank would maintain its tight monetary policy until inflationary pressures go down.
The bank raised the rate by 150 basis points in the first half of the 2010-11 fiscal year and held it at 14 per cent in the second half, which ended June 30.
SBP expects the inflation rate to average around 12 per cent in 2011-12, down from 13.9 per cent in the previous year. Data released on Tuesday shows annual inflation quickened to 13.77 per cent in July, from 13.13 per cent in June.
Are inflationary pressures really subsiding?
While headline inflation may show some signs of moderation in the coming months, underlying price pressures remain strong. Analysts say the government still needs to push through large increases in energy costs, especially on electricity and natural gas, to reduce its crippling subsidy bill.
Policymakers may be expecting some easing in headline numbers later in the year due to the high base effect as devastating floods pushed food prices sharply higher last year. The main inflationary pressures come from food and oil prices.
Was SBP justified in cutting rates?
Given the risks to inflation and the external account, economists reckon there is little room for further easing, although one could argue that weakness in growth and investment were becoming equally big concerns.
Still, SBP may have eased the rate a couple of months prematurely, as it is yet to be seen whether CPI falls below 13 per cent on a sustainable basis.
Some analysts said the government benefits directly through lower funding costs – through treasury bills and Pakistan Investment Bonds – and note that the heavily leveraged corporate sector, reeling from the rise in borrowing costs, especially the state-owned enterprises, could also win some respite.
The next policy move will depend on economic data over the coming two months but a further 50-basis-point cut in September cannot be ruled out as weakening growth becomes the main policy-driver.
Analysts said that it would be difficult for SBP to cut the policy rate below 13 per cent. Also, inflation is expected to rise again in the second half of 2011-12 because of the base effect.
How can inflation be controlled?
Though much of the price pressure comes from external factors, the government can only actively combat inflation by taking fiscal measures to narrow the deficit – raising revenue and cutting spending – which will reduce the need to print money to finance it.
The situation could be helped by a fall in international oil prices or by a bumper food crop globally or in Pakistan. It can also be controlled through the tightening of monetary supply which would restrict money supply.
What other risks worry policymakers?
Growth was anemic at just 2.4 per cent in 2010-11 against the target of 4.5 per cent because of floods, which caused nearly $10 billion in damage.
Large-scale manufacturing’s growth was 1.7 per cent from July 2010 through March 2011, as compared to the target of 4.9 per cent. Trade deficit is also a big worry, on account of high crude prices and falling cotton prices.
The other big worry is the lack of external funding, which has helped keep the economy afloat. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has held back the sixth loan tranche, citing the government’s patchy implementation of fiscal reforms.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2011.
COMMENTS (8)
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@abdussamad:
I hope you are not right.
If we ignore the spin being given by the SBP it looks like the real reason for the cut was to give some relief to the govt. The govt. being the largest borrower in the country has the most to benefit from any cut in interest rates. So this move appears to be politically motivated. It will only lead to higher inflation in the economy as a whole.
@Fahad H:
Don't know when, where and/or if you studied economics.
Interest rates are already negative in REAL terms. That penalizes savers and encourages borrowers. We should be doing the reverse.
The cut was premature. We could have waited another two months or until we were more confident that inflationary pressures were receding. At the moment, there is too much 'noise' in the data.
@Ammar: Masses will see benefits when inflation drops back to single figures which is where we should be.
Inflation can be controlled, no doubt, by setting out effective fiscal policy measures. Since these measures are set out once in a year in budget, it is necessary to take other non- fiscal measures into account.
Lowering interest rates will inevitably provide some relief to high leveraged companies and lower the price of borrowing and thus stimulate investment ----which has been the biggest concern for the government--- as it would be worth for firms to undertake new investments.
Moreover, to raise revenue, government needs to broaden its tax net. Increasing taxation will not only provide government with more revenue but will also help to stabilize economy by taking out inflationary pressure.Furthermore, it is an effective means to redistributing income.
I've never seen the benefit of increasing/decreasing discount rate. Masses don't get any benefit, so what's the use of it?
The inflation is cost-push...no matter how high the interest rates are pushed, if oil & commodity prices rise internationally, we have no choice but to either pass on the cost or subsidize. Both cases will result in inflationary pressures, hence higher interest rates don't seem to be the solution.
I think the government should slash rates further and increase the corporate tax rate just a percentage point or two. With lower interest expensed by corporates, they will have higher taxable incomes which will greatly improve tax collections. The simulatenous drop in interest expense and rise in tax rate will have a mulitplier effect in taxes. This is a short term temporary solution, that will not just improve tax numbers while providing releif to businesses on the interest expense end.
The ultimate solution is enhancement of the tax net. Taxes can control dispensible income as the poor of the country buy out of neccisity, its the rich whose uncontrolled spending needs to be brought into check.
Pakistan has the second highest rate of inflation in Asia and we cut interest rate.This decision is strange to say the least and defies all logic.
Wonder if Acting Governor of State Bank went to a HEC approved University?.