Mongolia Holds Policy Rate Steady at 12%

Mongolia’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate at 12% for a second consecutive meeting, adopting a cautious stance amid steady macroeconomic conditions, a resilient banking sector, developments in financial markets, and domestic and global economic risks. Headline inflation rose to 8.8% in August, driven largely by higher prices for meat, vegetables, and flour. The central bank anticipates inflation to increase modestly over the next two to three months before gradually returning to its target range of 6% ± 2 percentage points by 2026. Economic growth in 2025 is expected to remain robust, with 5.6% expansion in the first half led by agriculture and the second half supported by copper production and large construction projects. Trade prospects have improved, with progress in international negotiations and US tariffs coming in below initial expectations.