Monthly Economic Review for November 2019
- Details
- Category: Economic Releases
- Last Updated: 24 January 2020
Global risks rise reported by the OECD1 in November
The OECD expects continued global growth of around 3%, although it warns that risks have increased on the back of climate change developments, particularly thus restricting business investment growth. As evident recently, the bushfires in Australia have affected rural exports and farm incomes. Consequently, the latest GDP growth reflects a 1.4% movement annually to June 2019 and is the slowest since the Global Financial Crisis in 2009. However, the OECD is not expecting a recession. Tonga’s other major trading partners, the US and New Zealand experienced mixed growth in November 2019. The US grew by 2.1% over the year to September 2019 due largely to government expenditure. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s GDP rose by 2.7% over the year to September 2019 due to growth within the retail sector.
Slowed outcomes in domestic activities
Partial indicators of domestic activity slowed in November 2019. Total agricultural exports declined over the month by 411.3 tonnes (12.5%) and resulted mainly from a decline in exports of fruit products by 626.3 tonnes (22.3%) as the squash season eases off. Proceeds from agricultural exports coincided with volume movement falling by $0.2 million (29.0%), while marine export proceeds also declined by $0.2 million (21.4%). Export proceeds however, performed positively over the year, with a rise in receipts for marine exports of $3.2 million (51.3%) and $0.1 million (0.8%) for agricultural exports.
Both the industry and tertiary sectors showed mixed growths. Lending to the utility sector and individual housing grew in November 2019, whereas lending to the manufacturing sector fell. Container registrations rose by 238 (26.7%) over the month as both private and business container registrations increased, however, import payments declined by $3.3 million (8.4%). Total air arrivals declined by 446 passengers (4.9%) reflecting the lower number of international flights during the month and coincides with a $1.7 million (13.6%) drop in travel receipts. Vehicle registrations fell slightly by 47 vehicles (15.9%) mostly for other light vehicles and cars. During the measles epidemic, many of the scheduled functions for November and December were either canceled or limited to some extent which further contributed to the domestic slowdown.
Job advertisements continue to increase
The total number of job advertisements increased to 47 vacancies in November 2019 and also rose over the year by 54 vacancies. This was led by recruitment intentions in all the sectors, particularly the services sector. These job opportunities may assist in reducing the unemployment rate in Tonga.
Lower prices were reported for November 2019 as reflected by a fall of 0.5%, due to both domestic and imported prices declining. Local food prices declined by 1.4% mostly for root crops and vegetables, and drove domestic prices lower. The lower imported prices attribute to lower prices for imported food products such as imported meat and fruits.
The annual headline inflation remained low at 0.1% in November 2019 compared to 0.2% in October 2019 and 6.5% inflation in November 2018. This was mostly due to lower domestic prices offsetting the rise in import prices over the year. Domestic prices dropped by 1.2% over the year and owing mostly to lower local food prices, kava Tonga, Tongan tobacco, and electricity prices. On the other hand, imported prices rose over the year by 1.2% due to higher prices of imported food, house maintenance, and alcoholic beverages. Domestic prices and import prices contributed -0.5% and 0.6% respectively to the annual inflation rate.
Competitive exchange rates
In November 2019, both the Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) and Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) index declined. This was attributed to the appreciation of the USD, NZD, GBP, and CNY against the TOP. In year ended terms, the NEER increased whilst the REER declined due to Tonga’s lower inflationrate compared to most of its major trading partners, which may support Tonga’s international trade competitiveness.
The OET balance improved
The level of official foreign reserves slightly rose by $0.2 million to $489.5 million, remaining at comfortable levels and sufficient to cover 7.8 months of imports. Annually, the foreign reserves rose by $20.9 million as a result of higher receipts of budget support, grants, and project funds from development partners.
After three consecutive months of deficits in the overall Overseas Exchange Transactions (OET) balance, November 2019 recorded a surplus of $0.2 million. The current account noted a deficit due to lower receipts of official transfers compared to the receipt of government funds last month. However, the merchandise trade deficit improved on lower import payments, whilst the services and income accounts surplus increased due to a rise in receipts.
The capital account surplus also rose and was attributed to higher receipts for construction purposes, both official and individual. Additionally, the financial account deficit also improved from a $10.9 million deficit in October 2019 to a $0.7 million surplus in November due to fewer payments for investments abroad.
Contrastingly, the overall OET balance surplus decreased over the year by $23.0 million and is underpinned by higher outflows for offshore investments and lower official transfer receipts. These movements have offset the rise in receipts from travel, private transfers, and exports.
Broad money increased
Broad money expanded over the month of November 2019, by $13.1 million (2.2%), due mainly to higher net credit to government, which offsets the slight decrease in net foreign assets from lower foreign assets. Similarly, over the year, broad money increased by $13.3 million (2.2%) as a result of higher net foreign assets from the receipts of budgetary support, grants, and project funds as well as higher remittances. This was also supported by the minimal rise in net domestic assets mainly on higher credit to private sectors.
Liquidity declined
The level of official foreign reserves lowered by $1.5 million to $489.3 million (equivalent to 7.8 months of imports cover) attributed to higher offshore investments and payments for services during October 2019. However, the foreign reserves rose over the year by $32.0 million as a result of higher receipts of budget support, grants, and project funds from development partners. This was also supported by the increase in the remittance receipts from family and friends abroad.
The deficit in the overall Overseas Exchange Transactions (OET) balance widened during October 2019, mainly attributed to the $11.2 million portfolio investment abroad. Services payments also increased by $2.8 million which were mostly for telecommunication services. Nonetheless, receipts also increased over the month, mainly from transfer receipts, both official and private receipts. Official revenues were mainly budget support, grants & project funds, while private transfers are grants/donations to nonprofit organizations and remittance receipts to individuals.
A similar trend is portrayed in the annual movements, where the OET balance surplus decreased and is underpinned by higher outflows for offshore investments and import payments. These movements have offset the rise in receipts from travel, private transfer receipts, and exports.
Broad money decreased further
Broad money declined further by $2.0 million (0.3%), again driven by a decrease in net foreign assets, which offsets the slight rise in net domestic assets. The lower net foreign assets were mostly driven by offshore investments during the month, whereas lower capital accounts increased net domestic assets. Over the year, broad money declined by $3.3 million (0.6%) due to lower net domestic assets, mainly on higher government deposits, offsetting the growing net foreign assets.
Liquidity declined
Liquidity in the banking system declined over the month and year to November 2019 by $8.2 million (2.7%) and $16.1 million (5.1%), respectively to $301.2 million. The decline in Exchange Settlement Account (ESA) balances solely drove both decreases. Higher government payments led to the monthly decline in ESA, whereas the annual decrease was mostly for repayments of loans, oil and other import payments.
Lending continues to grow
The banks’ total lending reached a new high level of $504.3 million in November 2019, corresponding to an increase in business lending over the month and year. More loans issued to the public enterprises, professional & other services, tourism and utilities sectors contributed the monthly rise. Over the year, higher business lending were mainly for the public enterprises, professional & other services, transport, and tourism sectors. Lending to households also rose, driven mostly by a monthly increase in other personal loans and annual rise in housing loans. The banks’ total loans to deposit ratio increased from 79.1% to 81.2% over the month, reflecting the increase in loans and the fall in deposits.
Interest rate spread narrowed
The weighted average interest rate spread narrowed over the month and year to November 2019, by 1.9 basis points and 9.6 basis points respectively to 6.02%. Over the month, the weighted average deposit rates increased, further supported by a decrease in weighted average lending rates. The rise in deposit rates over the monthwas underpinned mainly by an increase in the volume of time deposits, as all deposit rates decreased. The lower lending rates over the month were largely driven by lower rates offered to households and businesses such as manufacturing, construction and tourism sectors.
Annually, both rates decreased with the weighted average lending rates declining the most and offset the lower weighted average deposit rates. The decline in weighted average lending rates over the year resulted mostly from lower rates offered to non-profit organizations, public enterprises, households, and businesses such as construction, tourism, and transport sectors. Weighted average deposit rates declined for both time and demand deposit rates.
Outlook
Given the above developments, the Reserve Bank expects a general slowdown in domestic economic activity for the medium term. Foreign reserves are projected to remain at comfortable levels above the minimum of 3 months of import cover. The inflation rate is forecast to remain relatively low yet stable and below the Reserve Bank’s reference rate of 5%. Credit growth will continue to grow albeit at a slower pace, underpinned by excess liquidity in the banking system. The Reserve Bank, therefore, maintains its accommodative monetary policy stance to encourage the utilization of the excess liquidity in the banking system for further lending to support economic activities. Nonetheless, the Reserve Bank continues to be vigilant in closely monitoring developments in the domestic and global economies and stands ready to adjust its monetary policy setting to ensure financial and macroeconomic stability are maintained.
1 - International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook for October 2019
Monthly Economic Review Releases
Monthly Economic Review Releases for 2019
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November Released on 23 January 2020 | 121 KB |
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September Released on 14 November 2019 | 417 KB |
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October Released on 19 December 2019 | 121 KB |
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July Released on 24 September 2019 | 423 KB |
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August Released on 8 November 2019 | 119 KB |
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May Released on 24 July 2019 | 118 KB |
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June Released on 19 August 2019 | 119 KB |
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March Released on 16 May 2019 | 129 KB |
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April Released on 18 June 2019 | 145 KB |
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January Released on 14 March 2019 | 129 KB |
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February Released on 23 April 2019 | 129 KB |
2018
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November Released on 18 January 2019 | 115 KB |
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December Released on 15 February 2019 | 121 KB |
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October Released on 27 December 2018 | 361 KB |
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September Released on 27 November 2018 | 383 KB |
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July Released on 21 September 2018 | 383 KB |
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August Released on 11 October 2018 | 383 KB |
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May Released on 3 August 2018 | 171 KB |
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June Released on 21 August 2018 | 431 KB |
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March Released on 14 May 2018 | 165 KB |
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April Released on 18 June 2018 | 395 KB |
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January Released on 16 March 2018 | 400 KB |
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February Released on 11 April 2018 | 494 KB |
2017
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December Released on 16 February 2018 | 422 KB |
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November Released on 22 January 2018 | 414 KB |
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October Released on 18 December 2017 | 125 KB |
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September Released on 1 December 2017 | 317 KB |
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August Released on 1 November 2017 | 391 KB |
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July Released on 6 October 2017 | 423 KB |
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June Released on 28 August 2017 | 125 KB |
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May Released on 2 August 2017 | 403 KB |
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April Released on 10 July 2017 | 421 KB |
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March Released on 8 June 2017 | 121 KB |
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February Released on 27 April 2017 | 425 KB |
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January Released on 30 March 2017 | 420 KB |
2016
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December Released on 3 March 2017 | 421 KB |
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November Released on 3 February 2017 | 398 KB |
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October Released on 16 December 2016 | 448 KB |
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September Released on 15 November 2016 | 532 KB |
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August Released on 21 October 2016 | 196 KB |
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July Released on 29 September 2016 | 839 KB |
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June Released on 25 August 2016 | 822 KB |
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May Released on 21 July 2016 | 665 KB |
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April Released on 21 June 2016 | 481 KB |
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March Released on 20 May 2016 | 475 KB |
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February Released on 26 April 2016 | 932 KB |
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January Released on 29 March 2016 | 461 KB |
2015
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December Released on 24 February 2016 | 593 KB |
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November Released on 18 January 2015 | 709 KB |
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October Released on 23 December 2015 | 320 KB |
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September Released on 18 November 2015 | 395 KB |
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August Released on 23 October 2015 | 405 KB |
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July Released on 22 September 2015 | 365 KB |
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June Released on 14 August 2015 | 490 KB |
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May Released on 24 July 2016 | 383 KB |
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April Released on 15 June 2015 | 500 KB |
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March Released on 18 May 2015 | 523 KB |
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February Released on 17 April 2015 | 375 KB |
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January Released on 11 March 2015 | 395 KB |
ECONOMIC RELEASES