World Economic and Financial Surveys

July 1, 2005

Officially Supported Export Credits in a Changing World

Description: This paper assesses the issues of government involvement in international trade finance stemming from the recent changes in global financial markets. This study is based on discussions with representatives of export credit agencies during the period from October 2003 to May 2004. A survey of 27 agencies provided valuable insights. Financial flows facilitated by official export credit agencies are large in comparison with official development assistance and gross lending by international financial institutions to developing countries. However, the importance of officially supported trade finance has been declining relative to the rapid expansion of world trade and total capital flows to developing countries. The study highlights the key challenges facing official export credit agencies, including complementing the private sector, facilitating financing to low-income countries while helping maintain these countries’ debt sustainability, and playing a positive role in the area of trade finance in international efforts to address emerging market financial crises.

April 20, 2004

Emerging Local Securities and Derivatives Markets: Recent Developments and Policy Issues

Description: In response to the volatility of capital flows since the mid-1990s, many emerging market economies have taken a variety of steps designed to “selfinsure” against volatile capital flows. One such measure has been the development of local securities and derivatives markets as an alternative source of funding the public and corporate sectors. This paper examines this self-insurance policy, focusing on the extent to which emerging markets have developed local securities and derivatives, and what key policy issues have arisen as a result.

March 5, 2004

Official Financing: Recent Developments and Selected Issues

Description: This study provides information on official financing and the debt situation of developing countries. It discusses issues related to trade finance in financial crises, and the challenge of maintaining external debt sustainability in debtor countries. It updates the 2001 edition of Official Financing for Developing Countries.

March 28, 2003

Exchange Arrangements and Foreign Exchange Markets: Developments and Issues

Description: This paper reviews developments and issues in the exchange arrangements and currency convertibility of IMF members. Against the backdrop of continuing financial globalization and a series of emerging market crises since 1997, there have been important changes in the evolution of exchange rate regimes and the pace of liberalization of current and capital transactions among IMF member countries. There has been a shift away from intermediate regimes according to the IMF's official exchange rate regime classification system based on de facto exchange rate policies. The de facto exchange rate classification system has helped to clarify the nature and role of members' exchange rate regimes. It has facilitated discussions with country authorities about the implementation of exchange rate regimes and hence has contributed to more effective surveillance of the international monetary system. The use of exchange controls appears to have been little influenced by the degree of flexibility of exchange rate regimes or the occurrences of currency crises.

August 22, 2001

International Capital Markets, August 2001

Description: This paper reports the on-off nature of emerging market access to international capital markets appears to have become a key characteristic of international financial markets. Emerging market borrowers have begun to adapt: when the market for US dollar-denominated bonds has closed, these borrowers turn to the syndicated loan markets, attempt to issue in bonds denominated in euro or yen, or issue in local-currency bond markets. In addition, they employ staff with extensive experience in investment banking and securities trading, exploit “windows of opportunity” to prefund their yearly financing requirement, and engage in debt exchanges to extend the maturity of their debt and avoid a bunching of maturities. The consolidation of financial institutions is driven by attempts to exploit economies of scale and scope, and technological advances such as the Internet and deregulation that facilitate universal banking activities are making it easier to reap such economies. Advances in technology are also transforming the securities trading industry.

Notes: This title ceased publication in August 2001. Both the Report and the Emerging Market Financing quarterly (published 2000-2001) have been replaced by a new quarterly, The Global Financial Stability Report. The new report was created to provide timely and comprehensive coverage of both mature and emerging financial markets as part of the IMF's stepped up tracking of financial markets.

August 2, 2001

Official Financing for Developing Countries

Description: This paper reports an updated assessment of movements in official financing for developing countries during 1997–1999. The composition of official financing flows changed too; as a result of the Asian crisis Member states of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) increased official development financing from $73 billion in 1996 to $85 billion in 1999. At the same time, however, new commitments by export credit agencies—a resource not included in the DAC figures—declined during this period, reflecting a slowing down in large-scale projects as governments affected by the Asian financial crisis suspended or postponed a number of public sector projects. The debt relief and its orientation toward poverty reduction is an important contribution to international efforts to help raise the living standards of the poorest in the world. Its success, however, will crucially depend on the willingness of donor countries to increase resources for development aid and link them to the recipient countries’ poverty reduction strategies.

October 1, 1999

World Economic Outlook, October 1999: Safeguarding Macroeconomci Stability at Low Inflation

Description: Supporting Studies for the World Economic Outlook, prepared by IMF staff, provide a more detailed analysis of issues recently covered in the main pubication. The current edition includes studies of globalization and growth, the future of the international financial system, currency crises, business cycles and exchange rates, supply-side issues in the contractions experienced in the Baltics, Russia, and other countries of the former Soviet Union, and challenges to European labor markets posed by European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

September 24, 1999

International Capital Markets: Developments, Prospects, and Key Policy Issues (September 1999)

Description: Following a review and assessment of recent developments in capital market and banking systems, this year's International Capital Markets report reviews and assesses recent developments in mature and emerging financial markets and continues the analysis of key issues affecting global financial markets. It examines the systemic implications of the continued rapid development of the global over-the-counter derivatives markets and the expansion of foreign-owned banks into emerging markets. The report also analyzes market participants' assessments of the proposals for private sector involvement in the prevention and resolution crises.

Notes: This title ceased publication in August 2001. Both the Report and the Emerging Market Financing quarterly (published 2000-2001) have been replaced by a new quarterly, The Global Financial Stability Report. The new report was created to provide timely and comprehensive coverage of both mature and emerging financial markets as part of the IMF's stepped up tracking of financial markets.

September 24, 1999

Exchange Rate Arrangements and Currency Convertibility: Developments and Issues

Description: This study reviews the developments and issues in the exchange arrangements and currency convertibility of IMF members. The principal information source for this report is the Annual Report on Exchange Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions prepared in consultation with national authorities.

Notes: By a staff team in the Monetary and Exchange Affairs Department led by R. Barry Johnston with Mark Swinburne, Alexander Kyei, Bernard Laurens, David Mitchem, Inci Otker, Susana Sosa, and Natalia Tamirisa.

January 29, 1999

World Economic Outlook and International Capital Markets Interim Assessment, 1998

Description: This interim update of the IMF's latest regular reports on the World Economic Outlook (published in October 1998) and International Capital Markets (September 1998) provides a preliminary assessment of the unusual turbulence in international financial markets during much of the period August-November 1998, and its implications for the global economic outlook and for policy. The survey of prospects and policies is the product of a comprehensive interdepartmental review of world economic developments, which draws primarily on information the IMF gathers through its consultations with member countries. For its eveluation of developments in financial markets, the report also draws, in part, on informal discussions with commercial and investment banks, securities firms, stock and futures exchanges, and regulatory and monetary authorities.

Notes: This title ceased publication in August 2001. Both the Report and the Emerging Market Financing quarterly (published 2000-2001) have been replaced by a new quarterly, The Global Financial Stability Report. The new report was created to provide timely and comprehensive coverage of both mature and emerging financial markets as part of the IMF's stepped up tracking of financial markets.