scholarly journals Why RMB should be more flexible

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (02) ◽  
pp. 156-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoke Yue Kan

Purpose This report examines the recent developments and trends relating to the Chinese government’s policy actions and the key issues that determine the choice of exchange rate regime in China. An up-to-date “stock-take” of the economic indicators is conducted to determine what is suitable for China in light of the rapidly evolving nature of the world economy and trading environment. This paper discusses the role of economic development, trade competitiveness, capital flow, foreign exchange reserve, and RMB internationalization in the determination of the RMB exchange rate regime. Design/methodology/approach This research uses an inductive approach to gain a fine-grained understanding of the complex, multifaceted aspects of China’s exchange rate policy. A combination of statistical analysis, including basic descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and a correlation study are used to explore the association between various indicators and their implications. The report also draws on analysis of a broad range of data sources and the work of numerous researchers and research institutions. Findings A more flexible exchange rate regime can play a complementary role towards rebalancing the Chinese economy by raising the buying capacity of families, rebalancing growth towards domestic consumption, and reducing reliance on export. China’s price elasticity of the demand for exports was relatively low that the appreciation of the Chinese currency has almost no influence on optimizing China’s trade balance. A more flexible two-way flow in RMB would be suitable under the current cash flow scenario in China. Reduced intervention will facilitate further adjustment in reserves. Lastly, in the early stage of RMB internationalization, flexibility in the exchange rate is one of the factors that influences its growth prospect as a reserve currency. Research limitations/implications The findings and conclusion are derived based on the latest empirical information, statistical evidence, and economic theory. This inquiry does not build on a theory, and aims to neither verify a theory, nor test hypotheses. Rather, it aims to demonstrate, assess, and explain significant roles that various economic factors play in shaping the future exchange rate regime of China. Originality/value This paper presents the rationale behind a more flexible two-way exchange rate, by assessing the latest empirical data and theoretical explanation that support such a move.

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaowen Jin

This paper seeks to estimate exchange rate pass-through in China and investigate its relationship with monetary policy. Linear and VAR models are applied to analyze robustness. The linear model shows that, over the long run, a 1% appreciation of NEER causes a decline in the CPI inflation rate of 0.132% and PPI inflation rate of 0.495%. The VAR model supports the results of the linear model, suggesting a fairly low CPI pass-through and relatively higher PPI pass-through. Furthermore, this paper finds that, with the fixed exchange rate regime, CPI pass-through remains higher. The exchange rate regimes influence on CPI pass through, combined with the fact that appreciation diminishes inflation, suggests that the Chinese government could pursue a more flexible exchange rate policy. In addition, reasons for low exchange rate pass-through for CPI are analyzed. The analysis considers price control, basket and weight of Chinese price indices, distribution cost, and imported and non-tradable share of inputs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Hadi Ilman

In 1997 Indonesia was hit by a severe financial crisis which led to the change of almost everything in the country, including the exchange rate regime; from managed floating to free floating or flexible exchange rate. It has been a major conclusion from academic debate that maintaining exchange rate at a certain level or band (soft peg) was no longer workable in the more integrated financial system, international market, and free flow of capital mobility across economy.Indonesia once was known as one of the “Asian Tigers” which were believed to be the next industrialized economies as was being indicated by astounding macroeconomic performance since the early 1990s. The exchange rate management, in which the objective was to have a competitiveness in the international market, was making a huge contribution to that performance. No one suspected those countries would be hit by the crisis until Thailand’s Bath was under attacked and suddenly it spread expeditiously to other economies.Domestically, economy of Indonesia was funded by foreign debt in the several years before crisis to leverage the economy, especially private sector. Thus, when the currency crisis was happening, the value of rupiah was depreciated so much and the central bank could not afford to stabilize the value of rupiah in the market. Then a huge amount of the dollar-denominated short term debt was suspected to default since the debt value in rupiah was becoming very large.


Significance AMLO initially nominated Arturo Herrera for the role in June, replacing him as finance minister with Rogelio Ramirez de la O. Incumbent Governor Alejandro Diaz de Leon will stand down at the end of December. Impacts A tighter monetary policy will open a significant gap with US interest rates, helping to stabilise the peso against the US dollar. Given Rodriguez’s provenance, the harmonious relationship between Banxico and the finance ministry will probably continue. The nomination of an unexpected individual to lead the central bank will reaffirm AMLO’s authority on economic matters. Although the finance ministry controls exchange rate policy, the government is not likely to modify the free-floating exchange rate regime.


2010 ◽  
pp. 29-43
Author(s):  
S. Smirnov

The Bank of Russia intends to introduce inflation targeting policy and exchange rate free floating regime in three years. Exogenous shocks absorption which stabilizes the real sector of economy is usually considered to be one of the advantages of free floating exchange rate policy. However, our research based on the analysis of 25 world largest economies exchange rates and industrial production during the crisis of 2008-2009 does not confirm this hypothesis. The article also analyzes additional risks associated with free floating exchange rate regime in Russia and presents some arguments in favor of managed floating exchange rate regime.


2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilija Beker

The choice of an adequate exchange rate regime proves to be a highly sensitive field within which the economic authorities present and confirm themselves. The advantages and disadvantages of fixed and flexible exchange rate regimes, which have been quite relativized from the conventional point of view, together with simultaneous, but not synchronized effects of structural and external factors, remain permanently questioned throughout a complex process of exchange rate regime decision making. The paper reflects the attempt of critical identification of the key exchange rate performances with emphasis on continuous non-uniformity and (un)certainty of shelf life of a relevant choice.


2006 ◽  
Vol 51 (168) ◽  
pp. 73-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srdjan Marinkovic

An inappropriate exchange rate policy is likely to undermine overall efforts to transform the economy. Namely, it is now well accepted either at the theoretical or policy level that situations of real exchange rate misalignment could be translated into important welfare costs. This country study highlights "irrelevancy" of the stability criteria when slow growth recovery threatens to endanger even social roots of determination for reform. We discuss foreign exchange policy and other related policy measures that are likely to align economic and political goals inside a trade-off between stability and growth.


2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansor H. Ibrahim

The paper assesses the international transmission of inflation for a small economy, Malaysia, over three sample periods marked by different degrees of exchange rate flexibility. Contradicting to conventional wisdom of less pronounced foreign nominal influences under the flexible exchange rate regime, this research finds evidence that the inflation transmission from the US to Malaysia is strongest during the period marked by increasing exchange rate flexibility (i.e. 1993-1998). This research also observes significant inflation effects of exchange rate depreciation during the same period. While this research observe less pronounced impacts of the US during the limited exchange rate flexibility period (i.e. 1988-1999), the US influences are virtually absent during the recent fixed regime (i.e. 1998-2005). This research believes that the intensity of capital flows across the three periods might have explained the results.


Author(s):  
Christopher Adam ◽  
James Wilson

This chapter charts monetary and exchange rate policy aspects of countries’ descent into, and exit from, economic fragility and draws out some key normative policy lessons for fragile countries and their external partners. Choices around exchange rate regime and the conduct of monetary policy in fragile states will rarely be fundamental drivers of deep structural fragility, even though they may present as proximate causes. Nor are they likely to be decisive in driving the recovery from extreme fragility. However, monetary and exchange rate policy choices can and do play an important role in affecting movements into fragility as well as shaping potential exit paths. Moreover, choices in these domains affect the likely distribution of rents, including those generated by policy distortions themselves. In doing so, they alter the balance of power and can decisively shift the points of influence for policy, including by outside agents.


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