Real Exchange Rates in the Developing Countries

Real Exchange Rates in the Developing Countries PDF

Author: Sebastian Edwards

Publisher:

Published: 1989

Total Pages: 76

ISBN-13:

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This paper deals with three important issues related to real exchange rates. First, it discusses the analytical concept of real exchange rate (RER) placing particular emphasis on providing an operational definition for the equilibrium real exchange rate. Of course, once this concept is defined we can begin to discuss in a meaningful way what we mean by real exchange rate misalignment, or deviations of the actual RER from its equilibrium value. Second, this paper deals with problems associated with measuring real exchange rates. Several proposals are analyzed and the more serious problems encountered when attempting to compute RER's in the developing countries are discussed. And third, I analyze the actual behavior of RER's in a number of developing countries. Here, issues related to the behavior of alternative indexes and to the statistical properties of real exchange rates are emphasized. Additionally, I study the real consequences of increased real exchange rate volatility.

Real Exchange Rate Uncertainty and Private Investment in Developing Countries

Real Exchange Rate Uncertainty and Private Investment in Developing Countries PDF

Author: Luis Servén

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 24

ISBN-13:

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Serven examines empirically the link between real exchange rate uncertainty and private investment in developing countries using a large cross country-time series data set. He builds a GARCH-based measure of real exchange rate volatility and finds that it has a strong negative impact on investment, after controlling for other standard investment determinants and taking into account their potential endogeneity. The impact of uncertainty is not uniform, however. There is some evidence of threshold effects, so that uncertainty only matters when it exceeds some critical level. In addition, the negative impact of real exchange rate uncertainty on investment is significantly larger in economies that are highly open and in those with less developed financial systems.

Exchange Rate Misalignment

Exchange Rate Misalignment PDF

Author: Lawrence E. Hinkle

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 638

ISBN-13: 019521126X

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The study cautiously identifies exchange rate misalignment as an important element in most of the exchange rate crises that plagued the developing world during the last decade. Given that the increasing integration of world capital markets, has escalated the costs of such crises, a broad consensus emerged in recent years, that the overriding objective of exchange rate policy in developing countries, should be to avoid episodes of prolonged, and substantial misalignment, i.e., situations in which the actual real exchange rate differs significantly from its long-run equilibrium value. It was the Bank's involvement in one such misalignment episode, that eventually led to this book. Following an overview on the concepts and measurement of exchange rate misalignment, its impact on the purchasing power parity, and the relationship between the external real exchange rate (RER), and the two-good internal RER for tradables non-tradables, the study presents methodologies - empirical applications - for estimating the RER equilibrium. The study reaches an optimistic conclusion - that enough is known to identify cases of misalignment, and be able to sound clear warning signals. The implication for exchange rate policy is that ignorance about the empirical value of the equilibrium exchange rate, cannot be used to clinch arguments for extreme exchange arrangements, such as clean floats, currency boards, and "dollarization."

Capital Flows, Exchange Rate Flexibility, and the Real Exchange Rate

Capital Flows, Exchange Rate Flexibility, and the Real Exchange Rate PDF

Author: Mr.Tidiane Kinda

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2011-01-01

Total Pages: 35

ISBN-13: 1455211877

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This paper analyzes the impact of capital inflows and exchange rate flexibility on the real exchange rate in developing countries based on panel cointegration techniques. The results show that public and private flows are associated with a real exchange rate appreciation. Among private flows, portfolio investment has the highest appreciation effect-almost seven times that of foreign direct investment or bank loans-and private transfers have the lowest effect. Using a de facto measure of exchange rate flexibility, we find that a more flexible exchange rate helps to dampen appreciation of the real exchange rate stemming from capital inflows.

Economic Adjustment and Exchange Rates in Developing Countries

Economic Adjustment and Exchange Rates in Developing Countries PDF

Author: Sebastian Edwards

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2007-12-01

Total Pages: 460

ISBN-13: 0226184730

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In spite of the attention paid exchange rates in recent economic debates on developing countries, relatively few studies have systematically analyzed in detail the various ramifications of exchange rate policy in these countries. In this new volume from the National Bureau of Economic Research, leading economists use rigorous models to tackle various exchange rate issues, while also illuminating policy implications that emerge from their analyses. The volume, divided into four main sections, addresses: the role of exchange rates in stabilization programs and the adjustment process; the importance of exchange rate policy during liberalization reform in developing countries; exchange rate problems relevant and unique to developing countries, illustrated by case studies; and the problems defining, measuring, and identifying determinants of real exchange rates. Authors of individual papers examine the relation between commercial policies and exchange rates, the role of exchange rate policy in stabilization programs, the effectiveness of devaluations as a policy tool, and the interaction between exchange rate terms of trade an capital flow. This research will not only prove crucial to our understanding of the role of exchange rates in developing countries, but will clearly set the standard for future work in the field.

Adjustment, Investment, and the Real Exchange Rate in Developing Countries

Adjustment, Investment, and the Real Exchange Rate in Developing Countries PDF

Author:

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published:

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13:

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LDC adjustment packages Riccardo Faini and Jaime de Melo Developing countries have been hit by a fall in their terms of trade, high real interest rates on their external debt, and a drought in commercial lending from abroad. Their subsequent adjustment packages, often supported by loans from the IMF and World Bank, focused on a sharp real exchange rate depreciation to restore external balance and a host of microeconomic reforms to secure a simultaneous supply-side improvement. This paper examines the success of these ‘adjustment with growth' packages in a large sample of developing countries. We find these packages have been much more successful in LDCs which export manufactures than they have in those concentrating on primary exports (primarily low-income African countries); the latter have not resumed sustainable growth, and most of their external adjustment has arisen from expenditure reduction, not an increase in supply. The longer-term prospects for manufacturing exporters are also brighter: there we detect signs of increased efficiency and a smaller decline in investment than in primary exporters. But we also find that a high external debt burden and an unstable macroeconomic environment impede investment in all LDCs. In the longer term, adjustment with growth packages will succeed only if they are accompanied by a more stable macroeconomic environment and appropriate debt relief

Exchange Rate Misalignment in Developing Countries

Exchange Rate Misalignment in Developing Countries PDF

Author: Sebastian Edwards

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 110

ISBN-13:

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This article analyzes the theory of equilibrium real exchange rates and defines misalignment as a deviation of the real exchange rate (RER) from its equilibrium level. The role of macroeconomic policies is then analyzed under three alternative nominal exchange rate regimes: predetermined nominal exchange rates; floating nominal rates; and dual or black market nominal exchange rates. This discussion points out how inconsistent macroeconomic policies often lead to real exchange rate misalignment. Corrective measures, including nominal devaluation and several alternative approaches, are then evaluated.

The Impact of Capital and Foreign Exchange Flowson the Competitiveness of Developing Countries

The Impact of Capital and Foreign Exchange Flowson the Competitiveness of Developing Countries PDF

Author: Mr.Bassem Kamar

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2010-07-01

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13: 1455201375

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Attracting capital and foreign exchange flows is crucial for developing countries. Yet, these flows could lead to real exchange rate appreciation and may thus have detrimental effects on competitiveness, jeopardizing exports and growth. This paper investigates this dilemma by comparing the impact of six types of capital and foreign exchange flows on real exchange rate behavior in a sample of 57 developing countries covering Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The results reveal that portfolio investments, foreign borrowing, aid, and income lead to real exchange rate appreciation, while remittances have disparate effects across regions. Foreign direct investments have no effect on the real exchange rate, contributing to resolve the above dilemma.

Real Exchange Rates In Developing Countries

Real Exchange Rates In Developing Countries PDF

Author: Mr.Mohsin S. Khan

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2004-10-01

Total Pages: 23

ISBN-13: 1451859597

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There is little empirical research on whether Balassa-Samuelson effects can explain the long-run behavior of real exchange rates in developing countries. This paper presents new evidence on this issue based on a panel data sample of 16 developing countries. The paper finds that the traded-nontraded productivity differential is a significant determinant of the relative price of nontraded goods, and the relative price in turn exerts a significant effect on the real exchange rate. The terms of trade also influence the real exchange rate. These results provide strong verification of Balassa-Samuelson effects for developing countries.