Ms Hessius speaks about the monetary policy and growth conditions for Sweden’s economy  Speech given by Ms Kerstin Hessius, Deputy Governor of the Sveriges Riksbank at the Chairmens’ Conference of the Västmanland’s Local Authorities Association on 27 August 1999. * * * The whole speech The bright picture of the Swedish economy that has been coming to the fore in recent years now seems to be becoming increasingly distinct. Growth is stable and employment is rising, accompanied by price increases that are moderate. It is important now that this bright picture can become permanent and that the work of creating good conditions for long-term economic development continues. Today I shall be considering the economic situation in Sweden and the rest of the world, with some discussion of the conditions for consolidating the favourable trend. Functions of the Riksbank Ever since Sweden abandoned the fixed exchange rate regime in November 1992, monetary policy has been conducted with its sights on inflation. Sweden was one of the first countries to adopt an inflation targeting strategy. In many respects, the period with the inflation target has been characterised by good results in the Swedish economy. Interest rates and inflation have fallen to levels that are historically low and, after the crisis in the early 1990s, growth has been comparatively high and stable.
BIS Review 90/1999  2  Public sector The financial position of the public sector has been strengthened appreciably in recent years, partly as a result of decreased unemployment, but also because interest expenditure on government debt has been reduced as a consequence of lower interest rates and debt repayment. This has been accompanied by comparatively high tax payments from households as well as the corporate sector. For 1998 the financial surplus – measured as public sector revenue less expenditure – was almost SEK 40 billion, which is equivalent to over 2% of GDP. In recent years the central government budget process has been changed with a view to tightening the control of government spending. The new budget process includes a spending ceiling that sets the maximum level for central government expenditures. In addition to the new budget process, the goal has been established of achieving a general government financial surplus equivalent to 2% of GDP over the business cycle. Thus, the goal is formulated in terms of the average over the business cycle, not as an annual target. These rules do not owe their existence to happenstance. Both the expenditure ceiling and the goal of a government financial surplus over the business cycle serve to promote greater confidence in economic policy. The direction of budget policy, like the monetary stance, is highly important for economic developments. The observance of these rules is important. Stable fundamental rules encourage economic agents to make long-term decisions.