As I said at the beginning, the annual variation of the Consumer Price Index excluding Food and Energy (CPIEFE)—our measure of core inflation that deletes the prices of food and energy from the CPI—has remained below 2%, with annual inflation still negative for goods and persistently around 3% for services. The CPI has approached 3%, mainly driven by the behavior of the more volatile prices (Figure 9). The peso depreciation has an effect on the revision of the short-term inflation outlook. By the end of this year, the annual variation of the CPIEFE is forecast to be at 2.7% (2.3% in June) and that of the CPI, at 3.1% (2.8% in June). Once both indicators converge to 3% during 2019, they will remain in the neighborhood until the end of the projection horizon (Figure 10). It is very likely that in September the annual CPI inflation rate will be temporarily above 3%, because of the low basis for comparison left by the unusual behavior of some foodstuffs in 2017. Regarding monetary policy, we think that the evolution of macroeconomic conditions makes it less necessary to maintain the current monetary stimulus. Therefore, our working assumption for the MPR is that it will begin to increase in the coming months and by 2020 it will stand near its neutral level—ie. between 4% and 4.5%. This assumption is not essentially different from the forecast a few months ago, as it implies gradual increases in the policy rate associated with the recovery of the domestic economy.
These include, among others, the delivery of new statistical products, improved management of the cash cycle, modernization of the technological platform that supports the investment cycle of the International Reserves and the Sovereign Funds, and the incorporation of computer security measures based on high international standards. Particularly noteworthy is the progress we have made in implementing Basel III regulations, mainly in terms of liquidity standards for the banking system and support for the discussion of the new General Banking Act. The latter will pose additional demands, particularly concerning the implementation of regulatory measures and macroprudential policies, such as the countercyclical capital reserve and the charge to systemic banks, for which the CBC has been preparing in recent months, reviewing international experiences and their applicability to Chile. 11  We intend to continue informing the Senate and the general public about the progress of our Strategic Plan and the operational agenda in the coming years. This is an expression of a broader will to increase the transparency of the operation and performance of the CBC, as an essential ground for the confidence in our institution that we wish to maintain and reinforce. Let me stress here that the CBC’s commitment with transparency involves not only compliance with the obligations mandated us by the Constitution and laws but has expanded further by way of agreements adopted by the Board throughout the years.