Yemisi Izuora
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has called for immediate review of existing Foreign Exchange Policy because of its profound implications for economic performance and the confidence of investors.
Reacting to the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria to retain policy parameters during its March 2021 meeting with Monetary Policy Rate [MPR] at 11.5%; Cash Reserve Ratio [CRR] at 27.5%; and Liquidity Ratio at 30%, the LCCI appreciated the dilemma which the current stagflation condition presents to the monetary authorities.
It noted the imperative of striking a balance between stimulating output growth and curbing intensifying inflationary pressures.
However, the Chamber requested that the MPC to give more attention in its deliberations to the foreign exchange policy because of its profound implications for economic performance and the confidence of investors.
Director General of the Chamber, Muda Yusuf in reaction to the MPC position said, “The forex policies are as important as liquidity management concerns. Foreign exchange framework is key to the price stability mandate of the CBN.”
Yusuf noted with concern the divergent positions of both the fiscal and monetary authorities on the country’s foreign exchange policy framework, stressing that is important for the fiscal authorities, CBN and Economic Advisory Council to be on the same page as far as the country’s foreign exchange policy framework is concerned. This lack of coherence among policymakers sends a negative signal to the investment community, aggravates uncertainty and undermine the confidence of investors, he observed.
Speaking further he said, “Considering recent macro developments in the economy, holding policy stance seems to be most appropriate decision at this moment. The CBN Governor stated at the briefing that the bank’s current policy focus anchors on boosting output growth given the fact that the domestic economy narrowly exited recession in the fourth quarter of 2020.
We believe sustained intervention efforts of the Bank would further enhance credit flows to the real economy, stimulate output growth and ultimately moderate inflationary pressures. With unemployment rate at a record high of 33.3% and weak employment levels in manufacturing and services sector, tightening monetary policy stance would stifle access to credit, and undermine the pro-growth agenda of the CBN.”
Continuing he observed that headline inflation rose by 17.33% in February 2021, the highest price level since March 2017, adding, “As we have stated in our previous position papers, consumer prices are currently being driven by cost-push factors including heightened insecurity resulting in persistent decline in agricultural output; foreign exchange illiquidity, exchange rate depreciation, higher energy prices and upward adjustment of electricity tariffs, which are beyond the control of monetary authority.
“We endorse the position of the MPC on need for fiscal authorities to expedite actions in addressing these challenges and other investment climate issues constraining the supply side of the economy and fuelling inflationary pressures.”
