October December February 18, 2015
Outline 1 2 Monetary Policy External Conditions 3 4 5 Economic Activity in Mexico Inflation Determinants Forecasts and Balance of Risks 2
Recent Evolution of Inflation In, the evolution of headline inflation in Mexico was in line with the forecast of Banco de México. As a result of fiscal adjustments and other transitory shocks, inflation located above the upper bound of the variability interval during most of the year. However, from November onwards, it started to present a clear downward trend and closed at 4.08 percent. In January 2015, it further reduced to 3.07 percent, derived from: The fading of the effects of the above referred shocks. Downward adjustments in telecommunication services prices and some energy prices. Lower increments with respect to last year in the prices of merchandise and services in general. The monetary policy conduction. 3
From October up-to-date (the period analyzed by this Report) Banco de México s Board of Governors decided to maintain the target for the Overnight Interbank Interest Rate at 3 percent. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2015 The above, considering that: No aggregate demand-related pressures on prices were anticipated. Target for the Overnight Interbank Interest Rate 1/ % February 10 9 8 Inflation expectations remained wellanchored. The pass-through of exchange rate adjustments onto prices was expected to be low. A considerable drop of inflation in early 2015 and the convergence to the 3 percent target from mid-2015 were expected. 1/ Before January 20, it refers to the observed Overnight Interbank Interest Rate. Source: Banco de México. 7 6 5 4 3 2 4
Outline 1 2 Monetary Policy External Conditions 3 4 5 Economic Activity in Mexico Inflation Determinants Forecasts and Balance of Risks 5
External Conditions During 4Q, the international environment dramatically deteriorated as a result of two shocks: International oil prices dropped significantly and it is anticipated to remain at low levels for an extended period of time. A widespread appreciation of the USD, as a result of the differences in the growth rate and in the expectations of the U.S. monetary stance with respect to the main advanced economies and most emerging ones. The above, as well as the slowdown of the world economy, led to higher volatility in international financial markets. 6
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 Lower oil prices are mainly attributed to supply factors, although lower demand has also contributed to the above. Crude Oil Prices USD per barrel World Supply and Demand for Crude Oil 2/ Millions of daily barrels Future prices 1/ 145 130 96 94 Crude oil supply Crude oil demand Forecasts 2.5 2.0 115 92 1.5 100 90 1.0 0.5 Brent 85 88 0.0 Mexican oil mix WTI 70 55 86 84 Change in inventories -0.5-1.0 40 82-1.5 25 80 4Q -2.0 1/ Data up to February 16, 2015. Source: Bloomberg. 2/ For 2015, it is assumed that the OPEP will keep unchanged its production levels. Source: International Energy Agency. 7
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Jan-14 Apr-14 Oct-14 Jan-15 World economy remained weak in 4Q, which translated into a downward adjustment of the global growth outlook. World GDP Growth Annual % change 10 Evolution of IMF s GDP Growth Forecast for 2015 Percent 5.5 Emerging 8 Emerging 5.0 6 4.5 4.0 4 World 2 World 3.5 3.0 Advanced 0-2 Advanced 2.5 2.0-4 1.5 Forecast -6 1.0 Source: World Economic Outlook, October and January 2015, International Monetary Fund. Source: World Economic Outlook, January, April, October and January 2015, International Monetary Fund. 8
2005 2006 2007 2015 However, the U.S. economic recovery kept strengthening. 60 55 50 Manufacturing Production and Purchasing Managers Index (ISM) Quarterly % change at annual rate and diffusion index, s. a. ISM 15 10 5 0 11 10 9 8 Change in Non-farm Payrolls and Unemployment Rate Thousands of jobs and % of EAP, s. a. Unemployment rate Change in non-farm payrolls January 600 500 400 45 40 35 Manufacturing production -5-10 -15-20 -25 7 6 5 4 300 200 100 30 4Q -30 3 0 s. a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: Federal Reserve, ISM. EAP/ Economically Active Population. s. a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. 9
Inflation continued to decrease worldwide, as a considerable drop in energy prices was added to the ample slack conditions still prevailing in some advanced economies and to the weak domestic demand in the emerging ones. 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2007 2015 World Annual Headline Inflation % 10 Advanced Economies: Annual Headline Inflation % 7.0 Emerging 9 8 United Kingdom United States 6.0 5.0 7 4.0 World 6 5 3.0 2.0 Advanced 4 3 Japan 1/ 1.0 0.0 2 Euro Zone -1.0 Forecast 1 0 December January -2.0-3.0 Source: World Economic Outlook, October and January 2015, International Monetary Fund. 1/ Excluding the effects ofthe consumption tax rise. Source: BLS, Eurostat and Japan Statistics Bureau. 10
Jun-12 Nov-12 Apr-13 Sep-13 Feb-14 Jul-14 Dec-14 May-15 Oct-15 Feb-15 Apr-15 Jun-15 Aug-15 Oct-15 Dec-15 Feb-16 Apr-16 Jun-16 Aug-16 Oct-16 Dec-16 The monetary policy stance in the main economies remained accommodative and in some cases additional monetary easing measures were adopted. Advanced Economies: Implied Monetary Policy Rates in OIS Curves 1/ % Implied target rate in OIS Dec Dec 2015 1.4 1.2 U.S.: Expected Federal Funds Rate % Observed FF rate 17-Feb-15 Median FOMC Dec-14 3.0 2.5 European Central Bank Bank of England 1.0 0.8 0.6 2.0 1.5 Federal Reserve 0.4 1.0 Bank of Japan 0.2 0.0 0.5-0.2 0.0 1/ OIS: Overnight Index Swap. Source: Bloomberg with estimates from Banco de México. Source: Bloomberg and projections from members of the FOMC, Federal Reserve. 11
Jan-13 Mar-13 May-13 Jul-13 Sep-13 Nov-13 Jan-14 Mar-14 May-14 Jul-14 Sep-14 Nov-14 Jan-15 Jan-13 Mar-13 May-13 Jul-13 Sep-13 Nov-13 Jan-14 Mar-14 May-14 Jul-14 Sep-14 Nov-14 Jan-15 Jan-13 Mar-13 May-13 Jul-13 Sep-13 Nov-13 Jan-14 Mar-14 May-14 Jul-14 Sep-14 Nov-14 Jan-15 An important increase in volatility in international financial markets was observed. The USD strengthened against most advanced and emerging economies currencies. Advanced Economies: Nominal Exchange Rates Dollar Index (DXY) 1/ Index 1-Jan-=100 Depreciation 104 101 Depreciation Euro Euro per USD 0.90 0.88 0.86 Depreciation Yen Yen per USD 125 120 115 98 0.84 110 95 0.82 105 0.80 92 0.78 100 89 0.76 95 0.74 90 February 86 83 February 0.72 0.70 February 85 80 1/ DXY index is estimated by the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) based on the weighted geometric mean of the dollar's value compared with a basket of 6 other major currencies which are: EUR: 57.6%, JPY: 13.6%, GBP: 11.9%, CAD: 9.1%, SEK: 4.2%, and CHF: 3.6%. Source: Bloomberg. Source: Bloomberg. Source: Bloomberg. 12
Jan-13 Mar-13 May-13 Jul-13 Sep-13 Nov-13 Jan-14 Mar-14 May-14 Jul-14 Sep-14 Nov-14 Jan-15 2007 2015 Emerging economies currencies depreciated. In Mexico, a relationship between the fall of oil prices and the Mexican peso depreciation was observed. Emerging Economies: Nominal Exchange Rate against USD Index 01-Jan- = 100 Depreciation Mexico South Africa Colombia Chile Korea Brazil February 140 136 132 128 124 120 116 112 108 104 100 96 92 9 10 11 12 13 14 Mexican Oil Mix Price and Nominal Exchange Rate USD per barrel, pesos per USD Mexican oil mix Exchange rate (inv. axis) February 46 15 36 Depreciation 16 26 136 126 116 106 96 86 76 66 56 Source: Bloomberg. Source: Banco de México and Bloomberg. 13
2015 2015 Government bond interest rates decreased in most countries, including Mexico. Advanced Economies: 10-Year Interest Rates % February 4.5 Mexico: Interest Rates of Government Securities % February 10 4.0 9 United States Germany United Kingdom Japan 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 6 months 30 years 10 years 1 day 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Source: Bloomberg. Source: Banco de México and Proveedor Integral de Precios (PiP). 14
Outline 1 2 Monetary Policy External Conditions 3 4 5 Economic Activity in Mexico Inflation Determinants Forecasts and Balance of Risks 15
In 4Q the Mexican economy continued with the moderate recovery that had started in 2Q. Economic Activity Indicators Index = 100, s. a. Industrial Activity Index = 100, s. a. 160 150 140 Total IGAE Services IGAE 122 118 114 Electricity 125 120 115 130 120 Industrial production 110 106 Manufactures Construction 110 105 110 102 100 100 98 Mining 95 90 80 Agricultural IGAE November December 94 90 December 90 85 s. a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: Mexico s System of National Accounts (Sistema de Cuentas Nacionales), INEGI. s. a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: Mexico s System of National Accounts (Sistema de Cuentas Nacionales), INEGI. 16
2007 2007 2007 Manufacturing exports maintained the growing trend that had been observed since late 1Q. Others Total United States Total December 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 Manufacturing Exports Index =100, s. a. Automobile Others United States Total December 230 210 190 170 150 130 110 90 70 50 30 Non-automobile Others United States Total December 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 s.a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: Banco de México. s.a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: Banco de México. s.a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: Banco de México. 17
2007 2007 Investment maintained a positive trend in 4Q. Investment and its Components Index =100, s. a. Real Value of Production in Construction Index Jan-=100, s. a. November 150 140 Public November 140 130 National machinery and equipment Total Construction Machinery and equipment 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 Private excluding housing Private housing Total Private 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 s.a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: INEGI. s.a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: INEGI and seasonally adjusted by Banco de México in the case of public and private construction (private housing and private excluding housing). 18
2007 2015 2007 2015 2007 However, private consumption still did not show clear signs of solid reactivation. Monthly Indicator of Private Consumption in the Domestic Market Index =100, s. a. 120 Consumer Confidence Index Jan-2003=100, s. a. 115 Commercial Bank Performing Consumer Credit 1/ Real annual % change 50 115 110 40 110 105 100 30 20 105 95 10 100 90 0 95 85 80-10 -20 90 75-30 November 85 January 70 December -40 s. a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: INEGI. s. a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: Banco de México and INEGI. 1/ It includes loans by credit card-regulated sofomes. Source: Banco de México. 19
2007 2015 2007 2007 Timely data indicate that a gradual improvement in the labor market was still observed in 4Q. IMSS-Affiliated Jobs and Employed Population Index =100, s. a. 110 National Unemployment Rate % of EAP, s. a. 7.0 Labor Informality Rate % of employed population, s. a. 62 IMSS-affiliated jobs 1/ 107 6.5 61 104 6.0 60 Employed population 2/ 101 98 5.5 5.0 59 95 4.5 58 92 4.0 57 January 4Q 89 86 December 3.5 3.0 December 56 55 s. a./ Seasonally adjusted. 1/ Permanent and temporary workers in urban areas. Seasonally adjusted by Banco de México. 2/Calculated by Banco de México with data from INEGI. Source: IMSS and INEGI (ENOE). EAP/ Economically Active Population. s. a./ Seasonally adjusted. Source: National Employment Survey (Encuesta Nacional deocupación y Empleo), INEGI. s. a./ Seasonally adjusted. Source: Seasonally adjusted by Banco de México with data from the National Employment Survey (Encuesta Nacional deocupación y Empleo), INEGI. 20
Given a less favorable external environment, strengthening the macroeconomic policy framework by means of adopting a monetary stance in accordance with the new international situation has become indispensable. As a preemptive measure, the Federal Government decided to adjust the fiscal policy through a significant reduction in public expenditure in 2015. This adjustment in the federal public sector expenditure contributes to: Facilitating an orderly depreciation of the real exchange rate in light of the oil price decrease. Reducing upward pressures on interest rates. The fiscal adjustment along with a monetary policy stance congruent with the convergence of inflation to its target, strengthen the fundamentals of the Mexican economy and will contribute to generating an environment conducive to higher growth with low inflation. 21
Outline 1 2 Monetary Policy External Conditions 3 4 5 Economic Activity in Mexico Inflation Determinants Forecasts and Balance of Risks 22
Since the beginning of the last decade, the conduction of the monetary policy has contributed to the convergence of annual headline inflation to the 3 percent target. Although the downward inflation trend has been exposed to different supply shocks, it has not generated second round effects. Economic agents inflationary expectations have not been affected. Core inflation, which better responds to the monetary stance and is more closely associated to the economic cycle: Has shown a downward trend since several years ago, fluctuating over the past 5 years around 3 percent. In, even considering the fiscal modifications, it remained at levels close to 3 percent, and, once these effects faded, it resumed levels below 3 percent. 23
Jan-03 Jul-03 Jan-04 Jul-04 Jan-05 Jul-05 Jan-06 Jul-06 Jan-07 Jul-07 Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12 Jul-12 Jan-13 Jul-13 Jan-14 Jul-14 Jan-15 After locating at 4.08 percent at the end of, headline inflation dropped considerably to 3.07 percent in January 2015. Thus, once the different shocks that affected inflation during were absorbed, it resumed its downward trend. Consumer Price Index Annual % change January 13 12 Non-core 11 10 9 Headline 8 7 Variability interval Core 6 5 4 3 2 1 Source: Banco de México and INEGI. 24
Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12 Jul-12 Jan-13 Jul-13 Jan-14 Jul-14 Jan-15 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12 Jul-12 Jan-13 Jul-13 Jan-14 Jul-14 Jan-15 The annual change of the merchandise and services price subindexes dropped, as a result of the fading of the effects of the fiscal changes and due to lower prices of other services, respectively. Core Price Index Annual % change Merchandise 10 Services 8 Food, beverages and tobacco 9 8 7 Education (tuition) 7 6 5 Merchandise 6 5 Services 4 3 Non-food merchandise 4 3 2 1 Other services Housing 2 1 0-1 January 0 January -2 Source: Banco de México and INEGI. Source: Banco de México and INEGI. 25
Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12 Jul-12 Jan-13 Jul-13 Jan-14 Jul-14 Jan-15 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12 Jul-12 Jan-13 Jul-13 Jan-14 Jul-14 Jan-15 Non-core inflation experienced upward pressures as a result of the performance of agricultural products prices, which was offset by a lower annual change of energy prices and government approved fares. Non-core Index Annual % change Agricultural Energy and Government Approved Fares Agricultural January 30 27 24 21 Energy and government approved fares January 15 12 Livestock 18 15 Energy 9 12 9 6 6 3 0 3-3 Fruits and vegetables -6-9 -12 Government approved fares 0-15 -3 Source: Banco de México and INEGI. Source: Banco de México and INEGI. 26
Jan-06 Jun-06 Nov-06 Apr-07 Sep-07 Feb-08 Jul-08 Dec-08 May-09 Oct-09 Mar-10 Aug-10 Jan-11 Jun-11 Nov-11 Apr-12 Sep-12 Feb-13 Jul-13 Dec-13 May-14 Oct-14 The output gap remains negative, even though it is expected to continue gradually closing. Output Gap 1/ % of potential output, s. a. 8.0 6.0 GDP 4.0 2.0 0.0 IGAE -2.0-4.0-6.0 November 3Q -8.0-10.0 s. a./ Calculated with seasonally adjusted data. 1/ Estimated using the Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter with tail correction method; see Banco de México (), Inflation Report April June, p.69. The shaded area is the 95% confidence interval of the output gap, calculated with an unobserved components method. Source: Calculated by Banco de México with data from INEGI. 27
2005 2006 2007 2015 2007 2015 Inflation expectations remained well-anchored during, which suggested that the price determination process was not contaminated by the above said supply shocks. Break-even Inflation Decomposition 1/ % Break-even inflation implicit in 10-year bonds Long-term inflation expectation Inflationary risk premium 2.89 3.20-0.31 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 Annual Headline Inflation Expectations Median, % Next 5-8 years Next 4 years End of 2016 End of 2015 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 1.0 0.0 Variability interval 2.5 2.0 Octubre January -1.0 January 1.5 1/ The inflation risk premium is calculated with data from Valmer and Bloomberg, based on the methodology described in Box 1 Decomposition of the Break-even Inflation of the October-December. Source: Survey of private sector economic analysts expectations, Banco de México. 28
Jan-12 May-12 Sep-12 Jan-13 May-13 Sep-13 Jan-14 May-14 Sep-14 Jan-15 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 Considering the shocks to the international financial environment, adjustments in the national markets were relatively orderly. It should be noted that in recent years there has been a low pass-through of FX depreciation onto prices. Exchange Rate and its Expectations for the End of 2015 and 2016 1/ Pesos per USD Observed End of 2015 End of 2016 14.18 14.90 14.09 15.5 15.0 14.5 14.0 13.5 13.0 12.5 Headline Inflation and Nominal Exchange Rate Change % and annual % change Headline inflation Currency depreciation 300 250 200 150 100 50 February 12.0 11.5 January 0-50 1/ The observed exchange rate is the daily FIX exchange rate. The latest data for the observed exchange rate is February 16, 2015, and the foreign exchange rate forecasts is January 2015. Source: Survey of private sector economic analysts expectations, Banco de México. Source: Banco de México and INEGI. 29
Longer-term interest rates in Mexico decreased in the reference period. Government Securities Yield Curve % 31-Dec-14 30-Sep-14 16-Feb-15 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 Change in Interest Rates from September 30, to February 16, 2015 Basis points 30 20 10 0-10 -20-30 -40-50 -60 1 1 3 6 12 2 3 5 10 20 30 2.5 1 1 3 6 12 2 3 5 10 20 30-70 Day Months Years Day Months Years Source: Banco de México and Proveedor Integral de Precios (PiP). Source: Banco de México and Proveedor Integral de Precios (PiP). 30
2007 2015 Spreads between Mexico and U.S. interest rates increased. Spreads between Mexico and U.S. Interest Rates Percentage points February 8.5 7.5 6.5 30 years 6 months 5.5 4.5 10 years 1 day 3.5 2.5 1.5 Source: Banco de México, Proveedor Integral de Precios (PiP) and U.S. Department of the Treasury. 31
Outline 1 2 Monetary Policy External Conditions 3 4 5 Economic Activity in Mexico Inflation Determinants Forecasts and Balance of Risks 32
Expected Macroeconomic Environment For 2015 and 2016, growth is anticipated to be higher than in, due to: A gradual effect of structural reforms on the economy. Dynamism of the economic activity in the U.S. The prevision that activities that started to recover in still represent support to productive activity. Despite the abovesaid, the foreseen macroeconomic environment is less favorable than that considered in the last Report, reason for which the forecast intervals for the GDP growth in 2015 and 2016 are revised downwards. In particular, due to the following: Oil price at low levels. A downward trend of the oil production platform. Private consumption still does not give clear signs that it could resume a strong dynamism in the short term. 33
In line with the evolution of the balance of risks presented in the monetary policy releases published in the period analyzed in this Report, the economic activity forecasts are revised as follows: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0-1 -2-3 -4-5 -6-7 -8-9 GDP Growth Around 2.1% 2015 Between 2.5 and 3.5% 2016 Between 2.9 and 3.9% GDP Growth Annual %, s. a. Q4 2015 Q4 2016 Q4 Fan Charts 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0-1 -2-3 -4-5 -6-7 -8-9 -8-8 Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4 Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4 2015 2016 2015 2016 s. a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: INEGI and Banco de México.. s. a./ Seasonally adjusted data. Source: INEGI and Banco de México. 34 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0-1 -2-3 -4-5 -6-7 Increase in the number of IMSS-insured workers 2015 Between 600 and 700 thousand 2016 Between 620 and 720 thousand Output Gap % of potential output, s. a. Q4 2015 Q4 2016 Q4 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0-1 -2-3 -4-5 -6-7
Risks for Economic Growth: Upward: Higher dynamism of the U.S. economy, given the lower energy costs. Faster. than expected improvement in the investors prospects, that could derive from progress in the implementation of structural reforms. Downward: Lower than estimated growth of the world economy. Intensified volatility and uncertainty in international financial markets. A further decrease in the oil price and/or its production platform, that would affect external accounts and public finances. That social unrest in recent months would significantly affect expenditure decisions of the economic agents in the country. 35
2016 2015 Inflation Forecasts Headline Inflation Core Inflation Will continue at levels close to 3 percent and will close the year slightly below the referred level. Will lie below 3 percent throughout 2015. Will persist at levels close to 3 percent. Will remain at levels close to 3 percent. 36
In 2015 inflation is expected to converge to the 3 percent permanent target and in 2016 it is estimated to consolidate around it. 7.0 Annual Headline Inflation 1/ % Fan Charts 7.0 7.0 Annual Core Inflation 2/ % 7.0 6.5 6.0 Q4 2015 Q4 2016 Q4 6.5 6.0 6.5 6.0 Q4 2015 Q4 2016 Q4 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 Observed 1.5 1.5 Observed Headline inflation target 1.0 1.0 Headline inflation target Variability interval 0.5 0.5 Variability interval 0.0 0.0 Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4 Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4Q2Q4 2006 2015 2016 2006 2015 2016 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 1/ Quarterly average ofannual headline inflation. Source: INEGI and Banco de México. 2/ Quarterly average of annual core inflation. Source: INEGI and Banco de México. 37
The inflation trend could be affected by different risks: Downward Upward That economic activity in the country have lower than expected dynamism. That the exchange rate remains at current levels for an extended period of time and that the Mexican peso depreciates even further. Further decreases in energy prices and in telecommunication services prices. Supply shocks that could affect the inflation evolution. Exchange rate appreciation. That given the foreseen gradual recovery of the economic activity, the space to absorb the effect of new changes in relative prices could reduce. 38
Monetary Policy Stance In the future, the Board of Governors will remain alert to the evolution of inflation determinants and its expectations for medium- and long-term horizons. In particular, it will monitor: The monetary stance of Mexico relative to the U.S. The performance of the exchange rate and its possible impact on inflation. The evolution of the degree of slack in the economy. All this in order to take the necessary measures to ensure the convergence of inflation to the 3 percent target and to consolidate it. 39
Importance of Institutional Strength The strength of the macroeconomic framework has resulted from the efforts of the society over many years and its benefits have been evident. In order to face a complex environment, preserving macroeconomic stability is indispensable. This largely depends on: Ensuring the sustainability of public finances. Consolidating an environment of low inflation and stability of the financial system. The federal authorities commitment, recently emphasized, to maintain sound public finances is highly relevant. Additionally, to improve the welfare of the society as a whole: Proper implementation of structural reforms is important to boost productivity and competitiveness ofthe country. Work in the transformation of the country s institutional structure is indispensable, in order to achieve a stronger rule of law and to grant greater legal certainty to the society. 40