Mongolia Economic Report - October 2012
Mongolia Economic Report - October 2012
October 2012
73446
The World Banks Mongolia Quarterly Economic Update assesses recent economic and social developments and policies in Mongolia. It also presents findings of ongoing World Bank activities in Mongolia. The Update is prepared by a team from the World Banks Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) Sector Unit in the East Asia and Pacific Region Vice-Presidency, consisting of Munkhnasan Narmandakh, Tehmina Khan, and Altantsetseg Shiilegmaa, and led by Zahid Hasnain. Copies can be downloaded from http://www.worldbank.org.mn. For further information, comments and questions, please contact Tina Puntsag ([email protected]).
Figures
Fig 1 The economy grew by 11 percent in Q2 ............................................................................................. 8 Fig 2 Growth in industrial output is slowing ................................................................................................ 8 Fig 3 Inflation has eased slightly but remains high .................................................................................... 8 Fig 4 reflecting rising food prices, notably of meat ................................................................................... 8 Fig 5 Real wages in informal labor markets in UB continue to increase....................................................... 8 Fig 6 But nearly 60 percent of those surveyed reported that wages were insufficient to meet basic needs .................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Fig 7 Fiscal balances have deteriorated in recent months ...................................................................... 15 Fig 8 as government spending remains high, mostly on capital projects ............................................... 15 Fig 9 While revenues have been weakening............................................................................................... 15 Fig 10 The structural balance reached 10 percent of GDP in August ........................................................ 15 Fig 11 The trade deficit continues to widen ............................................................................................... 17 Fig 12 although imports are now contracting ............................................................................................ 17 Fig 13 Exports are falling sharply .............................................................................................................. 17 Fig 14 reflecting weak demand in China .................................................................................................. 17 Fig 15 Although the current account widened........................................................................................ 18 Fig 16 it remained fully funded by FDI inflows ........................................................................................ 18 Fig 17 The Togrog has depreciated since April ........................................................................................... 19 Fig 18 FX reserves have fallen in recent months, as the central bank has sold FX to stem currency volatility .................................................................................................................................................. 19 Fig 19 Deposit inflows are increasing with local currency deposit tapering off in August ......................... 19 Fig 20 while real rates of returns on local currency deposits are still negative ......................................... 19
Tables
Table 1 Aggregate indicators for the Budget Framework under the MTBF in comparison (% of GDP) ..... 14 Table 2: 2012 Budget Amendments (% of GDP) ......................................................................................... 14 Table 3 2012 Value, volume and unit price changes of major export commodities, YTD .......................... 16 Table 4 Mongolia: Key Indicators................................................................................................................ 22
Source: World Bank projections Notes: A slowdown similar to 2009 refers to a scenario where the G3 slow and major commodity prices drop. A deeper global slowdown adds to this projection a slowdown in China as well. 1/ Baseline projections in March and June 2012. 2/ Current baseline projections as of September 2012. 3/ Assumes severe downturn in G-3, large drop in commodity prices, but relatively robust growth in emerging market economies. 4/ Assumes severe downturn in G-3, larger drop in commodity price and also weakness in emerging market economies.
Inflation
Inflation has retreated slightly but remains high The headline inflation rate eased to 15.6 percent in August after peaking at 17.8 percent in April (Fig 3). However, inflation has remained in double-digits since the start of the year. The BoM has responded by increasing its policy rate by 225 basis points, to 13.25 percent, and by raising the reserve
requirements by 700 basis points, to 12 percent. This monetary tightening has been associated with a considerable slowdown in credit growth, from 72 percent in 2011 to 37 percent (year on year) in August 2012. However, fiscal policy has been working at cross-purposes from monetary
policy, with rapidly increasing government spending largely responsible for the overheating of the economy.
Fig 2 Growth in industrial output is slowing Industrial output, 3 month moving average % yoy, 2005 constant prices
50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 -20 Aug-10 Feb-11 Aug-11 Feb-12 Aug-12 Mining and quarrying Industrial output Manufacturing Utilities
25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 Q3-08
Q2-09
Q1-10
Q4-10
Q3-11
Q2-12
Fig 3 Inflation has eased slightly but remains high Percentage point contns, % yoy, UB
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 Aug-08 Aug-09 Aug-10 Aug-11 Aug-12 Energy and fuels Meat, milk and cheese bread, flour and cereals Other food Core inflation exc all food and energy CPI inflation
Fig 5 Real wages in informal labor markets in UB continue to increase No of workers Av. real wages, MNT
Construction materials delivery 100 family district Merchandise carter Narantuul Black market in UB Supermarket shipments loading and unloading at Bars market 3000 Cement loading at Botanic market at Amgalan district Container loading and unloading for freight companies Railway cargo unloading in UB "44" area: Triangle bridge district Average real wage per hour (MNT thousand) RHS 2000
Fig 6 But nearly 60 percent of those surveyed reported that wages were insufficient to meet basic needs % of total surveyed
70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Sept-11 Sept-11 Sept-12 Sept-12
3000
2000
1000
1000
20% 10%
Sept-12 Sept-11
0% Wages dont meet Wages meet only basic needs basic needs Wages sufficient for living
Fiscal developments
Government spending continues to grow rapidly despite a slowdown in revenue collections Government spending in the first eight months of the year was 42 percent higher in nominal terms and 20 percent higher in real terms compared to the same period last year (Fig 8). Capital expenditures
These also take into account those who are not officially registered as unemployed with the Labor and Social Welfare Service Centers.
3
www.worldbank.org/mongolia
10
The 2012 GDP projection was not changed from the first amendments and remains at MNT 16133 bn in the second amendment.
11
12
13
Table 1 Aggregate indicators for the Budget Framework under the MTBF in comparison (% of GDP)
MTBF 2011 Floor on total budget revenue 35.4 Ceiling on total budget 40.4 expenditure Ceiling on total budget deficit -5.0 Floor on capital expenditure 6.3 Source: World Bank , MOF Budget document MTBF 2012 35.4 39.4 -4.0 6.0 MTBF 2013 30.3 32.3 -2.0 4.7 2012 First amendment 37.2 40.1 -2.9 12.4 2012 Second amendment 34.3 39.1 -4.8 10.7
Table 2: 2012 Budget Amendments (% of GDP) 2011 Actual 2012 Feb Amend 39.2 37.2 30.6 4.1 1.7 6.6 11.4 40.1 28.0 7.6 5.4 0.7 13.2 10.5 0.3 -12.3 -1.7 -0.9 -2.9 2.0 2012 Sep Amend 34.9 34.3 30.5 4.1 1.8 3.7 10.9 39.1 28.6 7.6 5.4 0.7 13.9 8.7 0.3 -15.2 -3.9 -4.2 -4.8 0.63 % change from 1st Amend -11% -8% 0% 0% 4% -44% 0% -2% 2% -1% 1% 9% 5% -17% 6% 28%
Total revenues and grants Structural revenues and grants Tax revenues CIT PIT Non-Tax Revenues Mining-related revenues Total Expenditure & net lending Current Exp Wages &Salaries Goods & Services Subsidies & Transfers Capital Exp Domestic Investment Capital Repairs Non-mining balance Primary balance Overall Bal inc grants Structural balance Revenue allocated to Fiscal Stability Fund
44.0 41.6 36.1 5.4 2.3 5.4 11.7 49.2 31.9 7.9 6.9 1.2 15.5 10.1 0.5 -16.5 -9.6 -5.2 -7.6 2.2
-69%
14
real
nominal
Transfers
Subsidy
Note: *GDP interpolated using actual GDP data until 2011 and WB estimates thereafter ** Adjusted fiscal balance excludes net lending from expenditure, leaving current and capital expenditure only. Fig 9 While revenues have been weakening % yoy increase in revenues, YTD August 2012
real 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 -20 -30 nominal 5 0 -3.8 VAT on imports Excise taxes Personal income tax Taxes on foreign trade Total rev. & grants Corp. income tax VAT domestic Royalty -5 -10 -15
15
Cap Exp.
Mongolia Quarterly Update 2012 External sector: balance of payments and the exchange rate
The trade deficit continued to widen even though imports are now falling The trade deficit increase to US$ 2.2 bn in August 2012 (on a 12 month rolling sum basis8), up from US$ 1.5 bn a year ago (Fig 11). This increase was largely on account of the surge in equipment imports for OT construction that were fully financed by FDI; strong domestic demand that drove the import of consumption goods; and the slowdown in the exports of coal to China. Imports have slowed down in recent months on a yoy basis, transport and machinery equipment imports were down by 29 and 8 percent respectively as imports related to the development of the OT mine (these accounted for 70 percent of total imports in 2011) are winding down (Fig 12). August data show an overall decrease of 8 percent yoy in total imports. This likely reflects base effects, namely the surge in equipment, fuel and transport imports last year as the construction of the OT mine gathered pace, and also the effect of growing lead times to import goods, which have increased considerably due to the transportation bottlenecks. Exports however fell even more than imports, mainly due to declining coal exports to China fell Exports dropped unexpectedly by 39.1 percent yoy in August, following a drop of 21 percent in July. These are the largest declines in more than 2 years and further weakness is likely as the Chinese economy continues to cool (Fig 13). Mongolias exports over the past year have been supported almost entirely by exports to China which account for 93 percent of the total (mostly coal). Total Chinese coal imports for August shrank by 15 percent on the month and in yoy terms, grew by just 4.2 percent. This led to a contraction of 30.4 percent yoy in Mongolias exports to China, mostly of coal (Fig 14). On a year-to-date basis, coal exports are still 9 percent higher than a year ago, reflecting weak growth in both unit prices and volumes. Copper exports were down by 16 percent on a YTD basis, due to a 17 percent drop in unit prices, while exports of gold also performed poorly mainly due to a 48 percent drop in volumes. Non-mineral exports however seem to be doing well. Exports of greasy cashmere were up by 20 percent on YTD basis in August, with volumes up by 40 percent. Chinese buyers currently dominate the market for cashmere, with local dehairers and spinners remaining on the sidelines. However, combed goat down export volumes have fallen significantly since March, resulting in a 21 percent decline in value. With global economic prospects looking dim as the euro area crisis drags on, global commodity prices are becoming increasingly volatile. Meanwhile the momentum of global trade is slowing, and with China trying to engineer a soft landing for its housing market and its economy, the risks only lie to the downside. Renewed volatility in global financial markets or any shift in risk appetite, in both domestic and overseas investors, suggests that demand for Mongolias commodity exports is unlikely to remain robust. Indeed, as the discussion above shows, this is already being borne out in the export data.
Table 3 2012 Value, volume and unit price changes of major export commodities, YTD
% change in $ value % change in volume % change in unit price % of total exports
Monthly trade data tends to be highly volatile and also is affected by seasonal factors. For this reason, 12-month rolling sums are illustrated.
16
The balance of payments is likely to remain under pressure in 2013 Second quarter data show that the current account deficit has continued to widen, reaching US$ 3.1 bn (on a 4 quarter rolling sum basis, Fig 15). Both the merchandise and services trade deficit are at record levels. The current account deficit is currently fully funded by high levels of FDI inflows, which amounted to US$4.1 in Q2 (albeit down from US$4.4 bn in Q1) on a 4 quarter rolling sum basis (Fig 16). FDI inflows have been spurred by the construction of OT and should begin to ease next year, once completed. Net remittances declined to US$ 52 mn in Q2 2012 from US$ 116 mn in Q2 2011 mainly due to rising outflows from the private sector. With the construction phase of the OT coming to a close, mining equipment imports should drop off. However, this decline is likely to be offset by rising imports relating to the large levels of public infrastructure works planned for the next year. These include the planned disbursement this year by the DBM to the tune of US$600 million (more than half of on-budget capital spending) in lending to projects in roads, railways, utilities, and urban housing. Moreover, the start of OT operations will have a
relatively limited positive impact on the balance of payments in 2013 as the bulk of the gross export proceeds will be used for the repayment of investment costs.
17
China Total
Fig 15 Although the current account widened US$ mn, 4-quarter rolling sum
1000
Fig 16 it remained fully funded by FDI inflows US$ mn, 4-quarter rolling sums
5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 -1000 -2000 -3000 -4000 CA balance Net portfolio inflows Net FDI inflows Q2 2012 Q1 2012
-1000
Current transfers -3000 Net income Services balance Merchandise trade balance Current account balance -5000 Q2-07 Q2-08 Q2-09 Q2-10 Q2-11 Q2-12
Net FX reserves have dropped off and, excluding BoM borrowing from the Chinese central bank, deposits by the DBM and domestic banks, are at a two-year low The sharp drop in exports and rising trade balances is being felt mainly in the international reserve holdings of the central bank. The togrog has depreciated by 7 percent since October 2011 (Fig 17), with further depreciation offset by a loss in reserves. In July and August, net international reserves (NIRs) fell by US$ 254.4 mn -- excluding commercial banks NIR -- after hitting new highs at US$ 2.7 bn in June (Fig 18). To stem volatility in currency markets the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) sold some US$ 470 mn in the currency exchange auction. Excluding borrowing by the BoM from the Chinese central bank (US$ 0.2 billion), foreign currency deposits by the DBM at the BoM (US$ 0.5 billion) and commercial banks (US$ 0.2 billion), net reserves are even lower than the headline rate at about US$ 1.4bn which is a two-year low. In parallel, the outstanding stock of central bank paper has fallen considerably compared to the start of 2011. As a result, the BoM has been injecting liquidity into the financial system through the net redemption of central bank paper.
18
Remittances
Fig 18 FX reserves have fallen in recent months, as the central bank has sold FX to stem currency volatility
US$ mn, stock 2,900 2,400 1,900 US$ mn, mom change Stock of BoM international reserves month on month change, RHS 500 400 300 200
Feb-11
Aug-11
Feb-12
Banking sector
After leveling off in April, deposit inflows into the banking continue to grow but at a much slower pace compared to the middle of last year The total volume of deposits in the banking system reached a new peak in July, as net inflows of both domestic and foreign currency deposits have been growing on a yoy basis (Fig 19). However, domestic currency deposits fell slightly in August by about 1.6 percent on mom basis as pressure on exchange rate increased. Interest rates offered on these deposits tend to be highly sticky, but have edged up since the start of the year. The average weighted interest rate on local currency deposits has for instance stood at 11.4 percent in August, compared to 10.3 during 2011. The weighted average rate on FX deposits, meanwhile, has risen from an average of 4.7 percent in 2011 to 6.0 percent in August, with the maximum rate on offer rising from 14 percent to 15.2 percent. Domestic lending rates have correspondingly increased, from about 15-16 percent at the end of last year to 18.3 percent in August. However with inflation still high, real deposit and lending rates have trended lower the former are now sharply in negative territory at minus 4.2 percent and the latter are still positive at 2.4 percent (Fig 20). Given the recent tightening of interest rates and reserve requirements by the BOM and with growth in deposit funding sharply down compared to the middle of last year, lending growth is sharply down to 37 percent in nominal terms (22 percent in real terms) compared to the end of last year when lending growth rose above 70 percent (Fig 21). Lending continues to be highly concentrated with the 50 largest borrowers in the banking system still accounting for more than a quarter of all loans (Fig 22).
Fig 19 Deposit inflows are increasing with local currency deposit tapering off in August
Fig 20 while real rates of returns on local currency deposits are still negative
19
Thousands
40 30 20 10 0 -10
Fig 21 Credit growth has decelerated after peaking in November of last year, and is likely to slow down further
% year-on-year change 100 Loans % yoy change 80 Deposit % yoy change
Fig 22 while lending remains highly concentrated MNT bn lending to 50 largest borrowers as % of total
MNT billion 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Aug-12 Share of total loans outstanding RHS 35% 30%
60
40
20
800 600
400 200
0 Aug-08
Aug-09
Aug-10
Aug-11
Source: BoM, World Bank Continued vigilance on financial sector risks remains important As emphasized in the previous Quarterly, compared to other countries in the region, Mongolia has some of the lowest Tier 1 capital buffers in the East Asia region and also some of the highest NPL ratios that date back to the banking sector crisis from 2008-09 when 2 large banks failed. Admittedly, the ratio of NPLs to gross loans has fallen to 4.1 percent (excluding the NPLs of the two failed banks) in August from 5.8 percent a year ago. But this improvement is mainly due to the continued Fig 23 and the overall volume on NPLs on bank balance sheets growth of loan remains large
MNT bn
Loans with principal in arrears NPLs to non-residents NPLs to residents NPLs of failed banks
Economic outlook
Mongolias medium term prospects are promising as the OT and TT mines go into production, with economic growth projected to be in the double digits, with sustained increases in exports and fiscal receipts. The economy however, faces significant risks in the near term, as reflected in the steep drop in exports in July and August. These risks reflect an uncertain global economic outlook and slowing growth in China and pro-cyclical fiscal policy over the past three years with large increases in government spending contributing to high inflation. A further commodity price shock could result in a rapid worsening of the external and fiscal balances. Given the macroeconomic vulnerabilities and the expected continued slow growth of the global economy, Mongolias policy-makers need to be very cautious. The immediate requirement is a more conservative fiscal policy stance. The upcoming parliamentary budget session provides an opportunity to rein in government spending (both on and offbudget via the DBM) and to abide by the rules of the Fiscal Stability Law that goes fully into effect in January 2013. The BoM should maintain the floating exchange rate regime with interventions in the foreign exchange market limited to smoothing out excessive volatility in the exchange rate without attempting to reverse the underlying trend. The BoM will also need to remain vigilant with respect to banking sector risks.
21
2008 Output, Employment and Prices Real GDP (% yoy change) Industrial production (% yoy change) CPI Ulaanbaatar (% yoy change, average) Public Sector Government expenditures (as % of GDP) Government revenues (as % of GDP) Government balance (% of GDP) Non-mineral govt balance Public Sector Debt (% of GDP) (1) Foreign Trade, BOP and External Exports of goods (US$ mn) (% yoy change) Imports of goods (US$ mn) (% yoy change) Current account balance (US$ mn) (% of GDP) Foreign direct investment (US$ mn) External debt (% of GDP) (2) Gross official reserves, net (US$ mn) In month of next years imports of g&s Financial Markets Domestic credit (% yoy change) Base policy rate (eop) Exchange rate (MNT/USD, avg) REER (real effective exch rate) (% yoy eop, +app) Stock Market Top 20 index (2000=100, eop) Memo: Nominal GDP (MNT bn) Nominal GDP (US$ mn) GDP per capita (US$) 8.9 2.7 23.2
2534.5 30 3147 57.1 -690.1 -12.3 838.5 31 658 3.0 59.11 9.75 1267 13.7 1182
1903 -25 2131 -32.3 -592.0 -12.9 1037.6 43.3 1328 4.0 -9.33 10.00 1443 -15.5 1229
2899 52 3278 53.8 -886.7 -14.3 1629.7 30.2 2288 4.2 26.69 11.00 1257 26.9 2931
3825.0 31.9 4874.0 53.4 -2586.9 -15.1 5309.5 21.7 2984.0 4.9 72.8 12.3 1264.8 -4.6 4059.0
3978.0 4.0 5290.0 8.0 -2663.6 -18.0 1500.0 17.0 3302.0 5.8 40.0 13.25 (Sep) 1360.0
5529.4 39.0 5348.2 1.1 -269.4 -1.5 1995.6 13.9 3679.0 6.2
6524.7 18.0 5674.4 6.1 435.3 3.0 842.0 12.5 3976.0 6.7
6864.0 5.2 6026.2 6.2 623.9 4.3 609.7 12.6 4850.0 7.5
Source: Bank of Mongolia, National Statistical Office, Ministry of Finance, IMF and World Bank staff estimates Notes: 1) IMF (2012) Post Program Monitoring Report. (2) On public and publicly guaranteed debt
22