Canadian benchmark interest rate remains at one percent
July 18th, 2012 - 1:58 pm ICT by IANSOttawa, July 18 (IANS) A deteriorating global economy prompted Canada’s central bank to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at one percent Tuesday.
The deceleration in growth for China and other emerging economies “has been greater than anticipated, reflecting past policy tightening and weaker external demand”, said the Bank of Canada in a statement announcing its interest-rate policy decision, Xinhua reported.
“While economic expansion in the United States continues at a gradual, but somewhat slower pace, developments in Europe point to a renewed contraction,” it added.
The global slowdown has resulted in a significant reduction in commodity prices, although they remain elevated, and global financial conditions have deteriorated since April, said the bank.
It said that although it is believed the European crisis will remain contained, that assumption is subject to “downside risks”.
The bank projects that the Canadian economy will grow 2.1 percent this year, 2.3 percent next year and 2.5 percent in 2014, a downgrade from its April projection of a 2.4-percent growth for both 2012 and 2013.
In April, the bank’s monetary policy panel also expected Canada’s economy to reach full capacity early next year. Now, the target is the second half of 2013.
On Monday, the International Monetary Fund predicted that Canada’s economy would grow 2.1 percent in 2012 and 2.2 percent in 2013.
The Bank of Canada expects that consumption and business investments will be the primary drivers of economic growth, which in turn will be affected by the effects of lower commodity prices on Canadian incomes and wealth, along with record-high household debt.
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- `Eurozone crisis to dent Canadian growth' - Jan 19, 2012
- Canada holds bank rate at 1 percent - Jan 18, 2012
- Key Canadian lending rate unchanged - Apr 18, 2012
- Canadian central bank keeps interest rate unchanged - Sep 06, 2012
- China's GDP to grow 9.6 percent in 2011: ADB (Lead) - Apr 06, 2011
- Canada's deficit down amid sluggish economy - Sep 01, 2012
- South Korean central bank cuts policy rate (Lead) - Jul 12, 2012
- `Downside risks to South Korean economy remain high' - Dec 08, 2011
- Fitch reduces Brazil's GDP growth projection - Dec 13, 2011
- ADB says China's GDP to grow 9.6 percent in 2011 (Second Lead) - Apr 06, 2011
- Global economy heading for another downturn: RBI - Jan 24, 2012
- ADB sees Indian economy growing at 7 percent - Apr 11, 2012
- China's economy to grow 8.2 percent in 2012: WB (Lead) - Apr 12, 2012
- India's central bank cuts rates to push growth (Lead) - Apr 17, 2012
Tags: bank of canada, bank projects, benchmark interest rate, business investments, canadian economy, commodity prices, contraction, deceleration, downside risks, economic expansion, emerging economies, global economy, global slowdown, household debt, interest rate policy, international monetary fund, policy decision, s central, target, xinhua