The transmission mechanism of monetary policy generally refers to the effects of changes in the monetary policy (such as the adjustment in short-term interest rate or monetary base) on the broader money aggregates or domestic credits, then, in turn, on the ultimate objectives of policy, namely, growth and inflation.
A study was undertaken on the transmission mechanism comparing the relative effects on the real economic variables of changes in domestic interest rate (with interbank interest rate as proxy) and changes in domestic credits, using the vector Autoregression (VAR) Model and analysis of impulse response of variables, including domestic credits, the private Investment Index, and the consumer Price Index. The focus is on the comparison of the relative effects in the two periods: the period prior to the financial liberalization (1980-89) and the period after the financial liberalization (1990-96).
The results of the analysis reveal that a credit shock has no significant effects on the economy in both periods. On the contrary, a domestic interest rate shock has a significant effect on inflation and domestic credits, particularly after financial liberalization; but has no significant bearing on private investment after financial liberalization, possibly due to a wider access to overseas financing by the private sector. It can be concluded that the conduct of monetary policy through the interest rate channel tended to be more effective than through the credit channel in controlling inflation, particularly after financial liberalization