Inflation deceleration and Risks to economic recovery.
The quarterly report from the Executive Secretary of the Central American Monetary Council (SECMCA) focuses on the region's inflation and recovery prospects.
Inflation, measured by year-on-year change in consumer prices, slowed in the second quarter of 2010 to 4.9%, compared to 2.9% in June 2009. This level is within the target limits set by the region's central banks.
The recent increase in the value of the Costa Rican colon versus the dollar is worrisome, not only because there are no clear reasons to explain it, but also because it would be hard to contain it without causing greater problems.
In the past weeks, and without apparent reason, the price of the U.S. dollar in Costa Rica dropped considerably.
Last week we surveyed some financial operators as to why these movements where occurring, the general answer being: “we don’t know”.
As in Orwell’s fable, Central Banks assume the task of deciding who, among equals, “is more equal than others”.
Paul Laurent Solís analyzed the anathema that has become the label “tax haven”, and remarked the role Central Banks have assumed in Central American economies, especially when they become tools for whichever government that happens to be in power.
In order to reduce the effects of the economic slow down, some politicians are turning to monetary policy or the Central Bank. They believe that by printing more money there will be more wealth, more investment and more employment.
When a Central Bank, such as the US Federal Reserve (FED) or the European Central Bank, increases the amount of money in circulation it is done by reducing interest rates.