S.African inflation targeting to stay: Gordhan

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa will keep its policy of targeting inflation, which has helped to stabilise prices and encouraged economic growth, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Friday.

Inflation targeting has been a source of friction between the ANC government and its allies in the communist party and trade union movements, who want the policy scrapped on the grounds that it has impoverished their members.

The central bank raised interest rates by 500 basis points in the two years to June 2008 to fight inflation, which has retreated since peaking above 13 percent last August but remains above the top end of the 3-6 percent target band.

"Inflation targeting provides a clear nominal anchor for monetary policy and requires the Reserve Bank to be transparent about its goals and actions," Gordhan said in a written reply to a question in parliament.

"Since inflation targeting was adopted in 2000, both the level and volatility of inflation has declined, while GDP growth has also been stronger and less volatile than under previous monetary policy regimes," he said.

Since December the central bank has reduced interest rates again by 450 basis points to relieve pressure on the economy. South Africa is wallowing in recession due to depressed domestic and global demand which has hit the mining and manufacturing sectors.

The bank, however, left rates at 7.5 percent at its most recent policy meeting last week, citing stubbornly high inflation, which was 8 percent year-on-year in May.

The targeted CPI consumer gauge is seen returning to the band only in the second quarter of next year.

"Permanently higher inflation carries a range of serious economic costs. It drives up interest rates, reduces competitiveness, and lowers actual and potential economic growth," Gordhan said.