An ecological view of New Developmentalism: a proposal of integration

ABSTRACT Article aims to integrate New Developmentalism with Ecological View by means of the concepts of Ecological Structural Change (ESC) and Eco-Developmental Class-Coalition (EDCC). ESC means to increase the share of green manufacturing sector in GDP and employment for increasing the environmental efficiency of the economy. Exchange rate overvaluation caused by Dutch disease and growth with foreign savings can harm green manufacturing industries even more than brown manufacturing industries. ESC needs the existence of an EDCC that can be made difficult to occur if exchange rate over-valuation is not removed through taxes over commodities exports, capital controls and a dual mandate for the Central Bank.

The Stabilizing Effects of Publishing Strategic Central Bank Projections

Expectations are among the main driving forces for economic dynamics. Therefore, managing expectations has become a primary objective for monetary policy seeking to stabilize the business cycle. In this paper, we study whether central banks can manage private-sector expectations by means of publishing one-period ahead inflation projections in a New Keynesian learning-to-forecast experiment. Subjects in the experiment observe these projections along with the historic development of the economy and subsequently submit their own one-period ahead inflation forecasts. In this context, we find that the central bank can significantly manage private-sector expectations and that this management strongly supports monetary policy in stabilizing the economy. Moreover, published central bank inflation projections drastically reduce the probability of a deflationary spiral after strong negative shocks to the economy.

WHY DOES BANGLADESH REQUIRE A CENTRALIZED SHARIAH GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK FOR ISLAMIC BANKS?

The main objective of this article is to describe the logical reasons why a Centralized Shariah Governance Framework (CSGF) provided by the Central Bank of Bangladesh (Bangladesh Bank) is essential for the country’s Islamic banks. In doing so, it identifies the major regulatory challenges (self-developed and disparate use of Shariah Governance (SG) practices) faced by Islamic banks in Bangladesh. It considers an analytical approach to explore the significance of a CSGF for Islamic banks in Bangladesh and examines the current diversified procedures of SG practices. This article reveals that the self-developed SG practices of Islamic banks in Bangladesh have created confusion and pessimism among the practitioners, bankers and even to the general people and regulators which is negatively affecting the overall image of Islamic banks. Such incongruent governance practices have led to inconsistencies in SG structures, implementation procedures, monitoring activities. In addition, this article reveals that these deficiencies usually exist due to weak monitoring systems of the Central Bank, ineffective functioning of individual Shariah Supervisory Boards (SSB) and the absence of comprehensive SGF. The article argues that the Central Bank of Bangladesh should initiate to reform its Islamic banking industry by introducing a CSGF aimed to identify the roles, responsibilities, powers, and functions of SSB; thereby improving governance, accountability, and overall Shariah compliance quality. This article is hoped to be beneficial for the regulators and practitioners to consider revising current practices. Keywords: Centralization, Bangladesh Bank, Islamic banks, Shariah governance framework. Cite as: Alam, M. K., & Thakur, O. A. (2022). Why does Bangladesh require a centralized Shariah governance framework for Islamic banks? Journal of Nusantara Studies, 7(1), 24-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss1pp24-42

Stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies: Policy and Regulatory Challenges

Stablecoins and central bank digital currencies are on the horizon in Asia, and in some cases have already arrived. This paper provides new analysis and a critique of the use case for both forms of digital currency. It provides time-varying estimates of devaluation risk for the leading stablecoin, Tether, using data from the futures market. It describes the formidable obstacles to widespread use of central bank digital currencies in cross-border transactions, the context in which their utility is arguably greatest. The bottom line is that significant uncertainties continue to dog the region's digital currency initiatives.

Central bank digital currency research around the world: a review of literature

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain some insight into central bank digital currency research by reviewing the recent advances in central bank digital currency (CBDC) research in a way that would help researchers, policy makers and practitioners to take a closer look at CBDC. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a systematic literature review methodology. Findings The review shows a general consensus that a CBDC is a liability of the central bank and it has cash-like attributes. The review also presents the motivation and benefits of issuing a CBDC such as the need to increase financial inclusion, the need to improve the conduct of monetary policy and to foster efficient digital payments. The review also shows that many central banks are researching the potential to issue CBDCs due to its many benefits. However, a number of studies have called for caution against over-optimism about the potential benefits of CBDC due to the limiting nature of CBDC design and its inability to meet multiple competing goals. Suggested areas for future research are identified such as the need to find the optimal CBDC design that meets all competing objectives, the need for empirical evidence on the effect of CBDC on the cost of credit and financial stability, and the need to find a balance between limiting the CBDC holdings of users and allowing users to hold as much CBDC as they want, and there is a need to undertake country-specific and regional case studies of CBDC design. Originality/value This review paper offers new areas for further research in central bank digital currencies.

Pressure on Iran’s banks raises chances of collapse

Significance However, the signs of strain are becoming more marked. On December 15, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) issued an official warning to all financial institutions, threatening legal penalties for bank managers who try to compensate for rising inflation by offering savers higher interest rates than is legally permitted. Impacts If US sanctions are not lifted, further economic deterioration will increase pressure on the banking system. Iran’s blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force will be an ongoing burden for the banking sector. Tight credit will make it hard for consumers to get even small loans, such as those for which newlyweds used to be automatically eligible. There are no reliable data, but comprehensive restructuring of the banking system would likely cost hundreds of billions of dollars.

Central bank blockages will hamper Lebanon’s IMF deal

Headline LEBANON: Central bank blockages will hamper IMF deal

New Australian consumer payments regulation likely

Significance Market sectors under scrutiny include buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platforms, cryptocurrency exchanges and digital wallets. All have seen a recent leap in popularity, driven in part by COVID-related concerns but mostly by the mainstream interest in alternative payment methods, leaving regulators concerned. Impacts The Treasurer is likely to gain extended powers to plug gaps in regulatory policy and address convergence issues. Liquidity concerns over cryptocurrency trading could be overcome through a central bank digital currency. Concerns over lost tax revenue and consumer protection, as well as the need to contain market risk, are driving reform efforts.