The decision was made in response to economic activity, family remittances and credit to the private sector showing dynamism, and the fact that inflation remains within the target.
From a statement issued by the Bank of Guatemala:
The Monetary Board (MB), based on a comprehensive analysis of the external and internal situation, after reviewing the Inflation Risks Balance, decided to keep the level of the leading monetary policy interest rate at 3%.
In 2015, the country received less income from tourism and exports, and also sold less to Central American countries.
Economic Bulletin by the Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (Fundesa):
Inflation ends within the annual target
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a variation of 3.07% in December 2015, 0.12 percentage points higher than in December 2014 (2.95%), while the monthly variation was 0.47%, up 0.54 points from the amount registered in the same month of 2014, which was -0.11%.
The Bank of Guatemala has lowered the leading policy rate, the reference for interest rates in the domestic financial system, from 5% to 4.75%.
The Monetary Board decided to lower the leading policy rate by 0.25 percentage points based on the external and internal economy, seeing a recovery in global economic activity.
From a press release issued by the Bank of Guatemala:
During 2013 the Guatemalan economy continued to recover and show dynamism in most sectors in the country.
The Monetary Authority of Guatemala notes that in 2013 the country had a satisfactory rate of economic activity consistent with the recovery that has been seen in the world economy.
The entity predicts a robust 2014 with a strengthening of economic activity domestically, mainly driven by an acceleration in world trade, in which Guatemala is immersed.
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 report from Guatemala's development foundation highlights improvement in key economic indicators as well as the impact of tropical storm Agatha and the Pacaya volcano eruption.
According to the country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) compiled by the national institute of statistics, inflation for the first six months of the year to June rose 2.7%. The increase year-on-year was over 4%, in part due to the natural disasters that hit Guatemala in the second half of 2009.
Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE), exports, remittances, international reserves, exchange rates, inflation, tax collection, banking system, foreign investment, tourism and outlooks.
Oscar E. Mendizábal, editor of the Blog “Desde Guate” (From Guatemala), gathers and analyses the main factors influencing the Central American economy (except Panama) during the first six months of this year.
Fundesa, Guatemala’s Foundation for Development, issued its monthly report on the status of the economy.
Inflation
According to the Consumer Price Index, prepared by the National Statistics Institute, cumulative inflation up to May 2010 stood at 2.70%, which means that the price level rose when compared to December 2009. The year-on-year change for May 2009 was 3.51%, reflecting a slight downward trend for the third consecutive month.
One year after the fall of Lehman Brothers, SECMCA analyzes the international situation, and Central America's perspectives and current situation.
Production continues to fall, as evidenced by the Central American Monthly Economic Activity Index, confirming a process started on the last trimester of 2008. June's variation was -1.9% when compared to the same month of the previous year.
Exports and Imports, Remittances, Economic Activity, Exchange Rate and Inflation in the 2009 SIECA Statistical Report.
The SIECA Secretary General, Yolanda Mayora de Gavidia presented the report as follows:
Central American economic integration is subject to permanent changes to individual member countries, regionally and internationally.
In this regard, in the middle of 2008, the economies of developed countries started to register monetary and financial imbalances globally and affected the real sector by reducing economic activity and generating high volumes of unemployment.
Inflation is declining and economic growth is decelerating - Analysis of the Executive Secretary of the Central American Monetary Counsel.
The excessive volatility in the financial markets and the low investor and consumer confidence levels are omens that the crisis is going to last, which is being translated into lower levels of consumption and investment and high unemployment rates in the most developed countries.
Economic growth is slowing down in Central America, but economic activity is still positive in spite of the slowdown in the United States, says the Central American Monetary Board in its June report.
The numbers from the board's Monthly Economic Activity Index for the firs three months of this year show a process of deceleration in both short- and long-term trends and a downturn in the business cycle.