Ulaanbaatar
Central bank decides to keep policy rate unchanged
Economy
Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/. At its scheduled meeting held on June 26, the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Mongolia decided to:
1) Keep the policy rate unchanged, considering the current
macroeconomic and financial market developments, their prospects, and
uncertainties in the domestic and external environment;
2) Reduce remuneration on MNT reserve requirements issued to
banks by the amount corresponding to the ratio of foreign currency-denominated
(FX) deposits with relatively higher rates and FX current accounts charging any
rate to total FX deposits and current accounts. It will promote financial
stability in the banking system by discouraging bank deposit dollarization and
maintaining relative returns on the domestic currency.
In accordance with “Law on preparedness, response to the
COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation of its socioeconomic impact”, under
collaborative initiatives with the international financial institutions, the
Bank of Mongolia has been taking a set of policy measures to support financial
stability and domestic demand.
Annual headline inflation reached 3.3 percent nationwide and
3.5 percent in Ulaanbaatar city as of May 2020. Inflation is expected to stay
below the target level as a result of demand-driven inflationary pressure
remaining subdued, reflecting economic activities slowing down, domestic fuel
prices declining in line with oil price developments in the international
market and in a case of not emerging supply-related price volatilities.
The comprehensive set of fiscal, financial and monetary policy measures pursued following declaration of high-alert preparedness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been influencing a positive impact on economic activities. Domestic demand has contracted in the first half of the year, owing to declining external demand and commodity prices; and imposing restrictive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Despite economic growth decelerating and inflation outlook remaining at low levels in 2020, policy room to further ease monetary policy stance is constrained by the necessity to ensure domestic and external macroeconomic balances. Uncertainties and risks have been exacerbated by continued trade conflicts and COVID-19 spread, resulting in further weakening of external demand and commodity prices.
Source: Bank of Mongolia
