Sri Lanka’s Central Bank today said the international sentiment regarding the performance of the Sri Lankan economy is positive as money flows into the country but political stability is essential for the sustained growth and development.
Responding to serious concerns expressed in recent days regarding the performance of Sri Lanka’s economy after Sri Lanka recorded a 3.1 percent economic growth for 2017, the Central Bank today issued a statement highlighting the international inflows in to the state’s economy.
The Central Bank said it is instructive to gauge the level of external support for the Sri Lankan economy from international capital markets as it would be an independent barometer of the health of the country’s economy since international capital markets are hard-nosed in their assessments.
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The Central Bank noted that an International Sovereign Bond (ISB) amounting to USD 2.5 billion (the largest ever) issued was over-subscribed 2.6 times. Large orders were placed by some of the largest and most reputed investment funds in the world.
With the receipt of ISB proceeds, gross official reserves have increased to US$ 9.9 billion which is historically the highest level.
There has been a very favorable response to the RFP for a term loan of USD 1 billion. The Government is considering upscaling this loan and to utilize the incremental proceeds to repay more expensive existing debt.
Despite outflows from emerging markets in the wake of normalization of US interest rates as well as synchronized growth in US, Europe and Japan for the first time since the Global Financial Crisis, there have been net cumulative inflows both to the stock market as well as the rupee denominated Government Securities market, the Bank highlighted.
There have been foreign portfolio investments in equity, through primary and secondary market investment in the Colombo Stock Exchange to the tune of USD 9. 6 million to-date in 2018. In 2017, inflows amounted to USD 278.5 million.
Net inflows into the Government Securities market amounted to USD 6.05 mn so far this year. In 2017, net inflows amounted to USD 441 mn.
FDI flows of USD 1.9 billion in 2017 were an all-time record, albeit from a low base.
In addition, staff-level agreement has been reached on the 4th Review of the IMF EFF, subject to Cabinet approval of the automatic fuel pricing formula. The 5th tranche of the IMF facility is expected in June 2018.
After June 2017 the IMF has issued several positive statements regarding improving macroeconomic stability and outlook.
Last year two ratings agencies namely S&P and Fitch changed the outlook to stable from negative.
“The above reflects positive sentiment regarding the performance of the Sri Lankan economy and its prospects on the basis of independent assessments made by external parties who have backed this by inflows of their money in to the country,” the Central Bank said in a statement issued today.
“It is imperative to build upon this by persisting with sound macroeconomic policies: fiscal consolidation, prudent monetary policies and a flexible exchange rate which supports the competitiveness of the economy. This should be supported by the acceleration of structural reforms to strengthen factor markets; improve the investment climate; boost investment promotion, introduce trade facilitation measures; and complete trade negotiations.”
The Central Bank stressed that political stability is essential for sustained growth and development.
The Central Bank projected an economic growth of 5 percent for this year and higher in the next few years.
