- It Is At Variance With Investment, Economic Growth, CPPE Laments
The Centre For The Promotion Of Private Enterprise [CPPE] has warned that the decisions taken by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria are detrimental to investment and economic growth.
According to the economic think-tank, the latest policy choice of the apex bank is at variance with the mood of most economic players and the desire to promote economic recovery and growth.
The Matrix reports that earlier today, rising from its 297th meeting in Abuja, Cardoso had announced the committee’s decision to further raise the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) which measures interest rates by 50 basis points from 26.75% to 27.25% to tighten the inflation rate which stands at 32.15%.
Reacting to the announcement in a statement sent to The Matrix by the CEO of the think-tank, Mr Muda Yusuf, he lamented that while other investors in the economy are craving for a breath of fresh air, the CBN chose to tighten the noose on them by resorting to a further tightening of monetary policy.
The statement reads, “It is quite troubling that at a time when manufacturers, entrepreneurs and other investors in the economy are craving for a breath of fresh air, the CBN chose to tighten the noose on them by resorting to a further tightening of monetary policy.
“The latest policy choice of the apex bank is at variance with the mood of most economic players and the desire to promote economic recovery and growth.
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“What manufacturers and other investors need at this time is some oxygen and stimulus, not policy measures that would worsen an already suffocating situation.
“MPR at 27.25%; CRR at 50% and asymmetric corridor at +500 and -100 are very difficult monetary condition to bear for most businesses, given the prevailing macroeconomic and structural conditions” he stated.
Continuing, Yusuf lamented that the second quarter Gross Domestic Product GDP numbers showed clearly that the economy was still in a floundering mode as many critical sectors of the economy slowed.
“These include manufacturing and other subsector of the industrial sector such as cement, food and beverage, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, trade, ICT and real estate.
“The road transport, motor assembly, publishing and motion pictures sectors contracted during the quarter. The Aviation, Oil Refining, textile , livestock and quarry and minerals sector were still in recession.
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“Tightening financial conditions in the circumstances does not seem appropriate. The private sector should not be made to pay the price of liquidity growth which they were not responsible for.
“Issues of excess liquidity should be addressed within a causative context. The injection of liquidity into the system are largely public sector driven, as rightly noted by the CBN Governor.
“Therefore, the focus of resolving it should be within that context. Stifling the financial conditions to address liquidity issues is detrimental to investment and growth of the economy. The implication of the latest MPC decision for investors are quite concerning as cost funds would be further exacerbated, possibly well above 35% or more. It is made worse by the increase in CRR to 50% and retention of asymmetric corridor of +500 and -100.
“We believe that the policy decisions of the CBN are most inappropriate for the prevailing economic conditions and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the country.
“The operating and production costs of businesses would be further exacerbated by the latest monetary policy tightening.
“The increase in CRR to 50% would constrain financial intermediate with negative consequences for the banking system and the economy” he added.
