Consumption continues to rise on higher farm incomes, rising employment and increasing consumer loans. Still, rising material costs slowed construction.

The rising costs of higher education coupled with the stress of paying student loans are putting increasing pressure on students.

The recovery in employment and incomes should continue bolstering consumption ahead.

We foresee that this year should be a year of investment and high export growth, therefore we need foreign currencies to finance investment and imports of raw material, as well as capital goods.

If political tension cannot be resolved by June, it could lead to an alarming imbalance in the trade account, the current account and the balance of payments.

The upward interest rate trend will continue because the real interest rate is still negative.