The Center for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has welcomed the decision by the Bank of Zambia to increase the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points to 8.5 percent from the previous 8.0 percent.
CTPD Researcher for Public Finance Wakumelo Mataa has disclosed that the decision is expected to reduce the aggregate demand pressures and moderate inflation in the medium-term.
Mr Mataa explained that implying that commercial bank lending rates will go up, money supply will contract resulting in a slow-down in demand-pull inflation.
“CTPD welcomes this decision as the rise in the policy rate is expected to subdue aggregate demand pressures and moderate inflation in the medium-term, implying that commercial bank lending rates will go up, money supply will contract and there will be a slow-down in demand-pull inflation,” he said.
He explained that in the short-term, prices of basic commodities, such as groceries and food items, are expected to remain high due to the lagged effect of the weakening kwacha but they will slow-down in the medium-term when the MPC decision takes full effect.
He however, expressed concern with the sustained fiscal pressures that have continued to inhibit the effectiveness of targeted monetary policy measures.
Mr Mataa said to this effect, there is need for government to re-align fiscal and monetary policies to ensure a coordinated approach to the restoration of the macro-economic stability.
“There is need for supplementary efforts that will target to address cost-push factors that have continued to drive inflation. long-term measures to moderate inflation should largely revolve around increased production and productivity in the Agricultural Sector, which seems highly likely given the good rain season,” he stated.
He also added that this would go a long way in string food supply and moderate inflation, stemming from rising food prices, adding that efforts to stabilize the kwacha will greatly underpin the moderation of non-food prices in the long-term.
He further advised government to succeed at securing an extended credit facility program from the on-going discussions with the International Monetary Fund as this will be a big step towards navigating the debt restructuring process, reducing debt to sustainable levels and restoring fiscal fitness.
Yesterday the central bank announced a rise in the Monetary Policy Rate following the escalation in inflationary pressures, which drove inflation further away from the upper bound of the 6-8 percent target range.
This is according to a statement availed to the media in Lusaka today by Center for Trade Policy and Development Researcher for Public Finance Wakumelo Mataa.
When you listen to the arguments between the pros and cons of rising the MPR, the left and the right are both pulling with equal force. Results will only go towards ‘Newton Law’. Next ZMW-USD shall soon be nolo her a youth, ma regi banatenga kudala and this age is legal age for vikwati. Soon ni retirement age had Sata with his dinasour economist who plunged this country in unsustainable debt not increased the retirement age by 10 years.
Inflation up,Kwacha down 50% ,national debt is way up, forex reserves at historic lows…honestly PF has been worst for Zambia’s economy.
Proactive targeted approach. The evil upnd diasporans think that high inflation will vote for hh. You are lying to yourselves. Zambians would rather live with the.little they have than sell their souls by voting in that evil crook hh.
@Kaiser or whatever you are called,three quarters of your brain is made up of faeces no wonder nothing sensible comes out of your mouth.
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For example think of the amazing things that remind you of me. For example like when I saved a man’s life who was drowning in the kafue river after one of my boat parties. Or when I won the award for most handsome pupil during my secondary school
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Interesting,I can’t see my comment LT.. What’s the problem?
LT?
WRONG MOVE
INFLATION WILL NOT BE AFFECTED AT ALL
This economically illiterate PF party have become the biggest economic saboteurs in Zambia’s history. May this high inflation finish them politically.
It’s a good monetary policy move by the MPC to hike the interest rates since November 2019 to contain inflation and set the inflationary trend to the desired path way if only other measures will support the transmission mechanisms 50 Basis Points to 8.5% reversal of aggressive monetary easing seen in May and August 2020 when the rates were cut below 8% a total of 350% is quick significant not to see inflation being moderated The risks to inflation have been on the upside away from the target range of between 6 to 8%