SGD should strengthen against MYR.
SINGAPORE: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Tuesday (Oct 14) said it will maintain its policy of allowing a modest and gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar against its policy band, with no change to the slope and width of the policy band, and the level at which it is centred.
MAS said the policy stance - which has been in place since April 2012 - is appropriate for containing domestic and imported sources of inflationary pressures, and ensuring that inflation expectations remain well anchored.
Its decision was widely expected by economists.
MAS also lowered its inflation outlook for 2014 in its half-yearly monetary policy statement.
It now says CPI-All Items inflation, or headline inflation, is now forecast to be 1.0 to 1.5 per cent in 2014, given the recent weakness in car prices. MAS had previously forecast headline inflation for this year to be in the region of 1.5 to 2.0 per cent.
For 2015, headline inflation is projected at 0.5 to 1.5 per cent, reflecting also the impact of muted housing rentals.
As for core inflation, which excludes the cost of accommodation and private road transport, MAS said this is likely to average 2.0 to 2.5 per cent in 2014 and 2.0 to 3.0 per cent in 2015.
MAS had previously forecast core inflation to be in the region of 2.0 to 3.0 per cent this year.
- CNA/av
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