ECONOMIC REVIEW Second Quarter April-June 2019
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www.econsult.co.bw compiled by KEITH JEFFERIS SETHUNYA SEJOE KITSO MOKHURUTSHE ECONOMIC REVIEW second quarter april-june 2019 in this issue ... SPECIAL KEY NEWS MACRO- FEATURE: COMMENTARY ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC EXPORT-LED 1 VARIABLES 4 7 DATA 10 GROWTH 11 COMMENTARY Diamond market woes reinforce the need for export-led growth Introduction The second quarter of 2019 has been a very mixed one in terms of economic performance, with the main feature being a marked deterioration in conditions in the global diamond industry, and poor performance by exporters in general. On the domestic front, data releases for the first quarter show some improvements, with reasonably robust economic growth, continued low inflation and interest rates, and some easing of pressure in the financial sector. If the weakness of the global diamond market continues, how- ever, this will show up in growth, export and government budget figures later in the year. page 1 www.econsult.co.bw Economic growth the period of diamond production will increase revenues Real GDP growth in the year to March 2019 was 4.4%, over the longer term. But while the investments are being very similar to the 4.5% recorded in 2018. Growth was financed – during the second half of NDP 11 – budgetary reasonably broad-based, across both the mining and non- constraints will be a major challenge, especially given the mining sectors of the economy, and was largely in line with spending commitments made by all political parties in the expectations. The main weakness was in the wholesale run-up to this year’s general election. Government will need sub-sector, which is dominated by diamond trading activi- to respond to this challenge by prioritising the competing ties, and where negative growth reflects a lower level of ac- demands on public spending, and cutting back spending tivity compared to 2018. Our estimate of real non-diamond on unproductive or low priority programmes, projects and private sector growth was resilient at 5.2%, year-on-year. institutions. Diamond markets Monetary and Financial Conditions Sales of rough diamonds in the first quarter of 2019 were Inflation has remained at very low levels by historical stan- weaker than in 2018, and the trend appears to have inten- dards, and is still below the lower end of the BoB’s inflation sified even further in the second quarter of the year. Sales objective range of 3-6%, despite a slight increase during of rough diamonds through De Beers Global Sightholder the quarter. Low inflation reflects a lack of price pressures, Sales (DBGSS) in Gaborone were 17.5% down, by value including low food price inflation, although this is now be- on the same period in 2018. This reflects a number of influ- ginning to tick up due to low rainfall and poor harvests in ences, including weak final demand for diamond jewellery Southern Africa. To some extent, however, low inflation in the major markets (the USA and China), overstocking in may be artificial, as many regulated prices have not been the midstream (diamond cutters and polishers) and a lack increased as costs have risen, thereby requiring subsidies of profitability due to narrow margins between rough and that may not be sustainable. Inflation is likely to rise mod- polished prices, a lack of bank liquidity in India to finance estly over the next 12 months, as food prices increase, diamond stocks, and the continued downward pressure on some administered prices are adjusted, and as the impact prices of lower-value diamonds due to competition from of the recent 18% rise in minimum wages feeds through supplies of lab-grown diamonds. The weak market for to costs. There may also be demand-side pressures if the rough diamonds will in turn have an impact on the mining proposed substantial increase in public sector salaries is sector, and hence on economic growth, as major diamond implemented. mining companies – including Debswana – adjust produc- tion levels in line with demand. Alongside low inflation, policy interest rates have been kept low, and remain at the lowest ever levels in Botswana. In It also intensifies the fiscal challenges facing government. the banking sector, credit growth is weak, which may be Revenues have been in structural decline for several years, an indicator of slowing activity in the non-mining business relative to GDP, and weak diamond sales will make it dif- sector of the economy. More positively, arrears on out- ficult to achieve the 2019/20 revenue targets set out in the standing loans are declining. Furthermore, banking liquidity February 2019 Budget. Looking further ahead, some very is improving, but this mainly reflects the very slow growth large investments are required to extend the productive of bank lending during recent months. If the rate of growth lives of the major diamond mines at Jwaneng (Cut 9) and credit picks up, banking liquidity could soon become an Orapa (Cut 3). These investments will reduce government issue, and this would in turn push interest rates up, inde- mineral revenues in the short-run, although by extending pendently of monetary policy rates. page 2 www.econsult.co.bw External sector a “no-deal” Brexit, which would be disastrous for the UK Export performance was poor during the first quarter of and bad for the European Union; and potential hostilities 2019, with all categories of exports registering major de- in the Persian Gulf, with escalating tensions between the clines, according to data from Statistics Botswana. For USA and Iran, which could easily send global oil prices well diamonds, this is in line with known developments in the over $100 a barrel and trigger global inflation, recession global market, but it is surprising that export weakness has and tumbling financial markets. also been manifested across all other commodity groups; for instance, exports of beef, plastic products and vehicle A further concern, but this time a domestic one, is the parts were all down by 50% or more in Q1 2019 as com- government’s decision – now approved by Parliament – to pared to Q4 2018, as well as when compared to Q1 in increase the rate of transfer duty on property purchases 2018. This is of great concern, given the importance of by non-citizens from 5% to 30%. This is likely to under- export-led growth (see feature later in this Review). Closer mine the property market, with fewer transactions and monitoring of export performance over the coming months lower prices, as well as negatively affect the banking sys- will be necessary to determine whether this is a short-term tem and reduce the availability of mortgages. To give the problem or reflective of a deeper export malaise that needs government credit, they have softened some of the more policy attention. egregious elements of the original transfer duty proposals, following extensive consultations with the private sector. Outlook However, even though the proposed increase in the transfer Although 2019 has started reasonably well in terms of duty rate for foreigners – including foreign-owned compa- economic growth performance, there are some worrying nies - is likely to have an adverse impact on the economy clouds on the horizon. Already, we have seen a weaken- and deter much-needed inflows of foreign direct invest- ing of the global diamond market during 2019, which ment, the political environment of an election year made is unlikely to be reversed in the second half of the year. any further concessions impossible. The move emphasizes Outside of diamonds, there are many risks in the global (adversely) the distinction between Botswana and Mauri- economy. Amongst the big, negative risks are the prospect tius, where a new Property Development Scheme has been of an escalating trade war between the USA and China; described as “the latest in a series of initiatives geared at potential recession in the US – as indicated by the inverted opening up the economy to foreigners and providing them US treasury yield curve – and growth slowdown in China, with the opportunity of becoming property owners in an both of which would be made more likely by a trade war; enviable and stable country, if they so wish.”1 1 Intercontinental Trust Ltd, July 2019 Newsletter”. page 3 www.econsult.co.bw Annual GDP Growth KEY ECONOMICSectoral VARIABLES GDP Growth 30% Water & Elec. Trans. & Comm. 20% Annual GDP Growth Sectoral GDP Growth AnnualMiningAnnual GDP GDPGrowth Growth Sectoral SectoralGDP Growth GDP Growth 10% 30%30% Trade Water & Elec. Water & Elec. Fin. & Bus. Service 0% Trans. & Comm.Trans. & Comm. 20%20% Total VA Mining Mining -10% 10% 10%Soc. & Pers. Services Trade Trade -20% 0% Construction Fin. & Bus. Service 0% Fin. & Bus. Service Manuf Total VA -30% -10% Total VA -10% Government Soc. & Pers. Services -40% -20% Soc. & Pers. Services Agriculture Construction -20% Manuf Construction -50% -30% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 -30% Government Manuf -40% All sectors registered positive annual Agriculture Government NMPS Mining GDP -40% -50% growth rates in the first quarter of 2019. Bank credit growth0%Agriculture2% declined4% 6% significantly8% , from 8.1% in objective range of 3-6%. Inflation figures 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Real GDP growth has continued its relatively strong -50%Most sectors (excluding Trade and Water & January 2019 to 6.7% in0% April.2% This 4%was driven6% 8%by a remain low, in part because, it is too early 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018All2019 sectors registered positive annual performance into the first quarter of 2019, recording Electricity) experienced small changes (+/- sharp decline in the growth of credit to firms, which fell for them to reflect any upward pressure on NMPS Mining GDP growth rates in the first quarter of 2019.