Staff Guidance Note on the Implementation of Public Debt Limits in Fund-Supported Programs

Staff Guidance Note on the Implementation of Public Debt Limits in Fund-Supported Programs
Author: International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Total Pages: 33
Release: 2015-05-28
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9781498344609

In December 2014, the Executive Board approved new guidelines on the use of public debt limits in Fund-supported programs. The new guidelines enter into effect on June 30, 2015. The key changes with respect to the existing debt limits policy include, inter alia, the broadening of the policy to encompass all public debt rather than only external public debt; an integrated treatment of external public debt, covering both concessional and non-concessional debt; and closer links between public debt vulnerabilities and the use and specification of public debt conditionality. This note provides operational and technical guidance related to the implementation of the debt limits policy. In particular, it sets out how the policy should be implemented in country-specific circumstances. Full text also available in French

Staff Guidance Note on Macroprudential Policy

Staff Guidance Note on Macroprudential Policy
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2014-06-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498342620

This note provides guidance to facilitate the staff’s advice on macroprudential policy in Fund surveillance. It elaborates on the principles set out in the “Key Aspects of Macroprudential Policy,” taking into account the work of international standard setters as well as the evolving country experience with macroprudential policy. The main note is accompanied by supplements offering Detailed Guidance on Instruments and Considerations for Low Income Countries

Staff Guidance Note on Debt Limits in Fund-Supported Programs

Staff Guidance Note on Debt Limits in Fund-Supported Programs
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 28
Release: 2009-12-22
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498335039

In August 2009, the Executive Board approved new guidelines on external debt limits in Fund-supported programs. Debt limits seek to prevent the build-up of unsustainable debts, while allowing for adequate external financing. The new framework moves away from a single design for debt limits (or, to use the usual terminology, concessionality requirements) towards a more flexible approach.

Guidance Note On Implementing The Debt Limits Policy In Fund Supported Programs

Guidance Note On Implementing The Debt Limits Policy In Fund Supported Programs
Author: International Monetary
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 65
Release: 2021-05-25
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513583611

The Debt Limits Policy (DLP) establishes the framework for using quantitative conditionality to address debt vulnerabilities in IMF-supported programs. In October 2020, the Executive Board approved reforms to the DLP which will enter into effect on June 30, 2021. The risk-based approach to setting debt conditionality informed by Debt Sustainability Analyses under the previous DLP approved in 2014 is maintained. The reforms aim to provide countries with more financing flexibility in practice while still adequately containing debt vulnerabilities through appropriate safeguards. This note provides operational and technical guidance related to the implementation of the DLP, including the operationalization of the approved reforms. In particular, it outlines the core principles underpinning the DLP, including when debt conditionality in IMF-supported programs is warranted and how to account for country-specific circumstances in the design of debt limits. The note also describes the process of setting and implementing debt conditionality, including: (i) identifying debt vulnerabilities to inform the focus of debt conditionality; (ii) designing debt conditionality; and (iii) implementing debt conditionality through the review cycle. The Guidance Note is intended for use by both IMF staff and country officials. In this regard, in addition to the guidance presented in the main body, the note also contains several annexes that cover definitional, technical, and operational issues arising in the determination and implementation of public debt limits.

Revised Guidelines for Public Debt Management

Revised Guidelines for Public Debt Management
Author: International Monetary Fund,
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2015-03-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498330665

The Revised Guidelines for Public Debt Management have been developed as part of a broader work program undertaken by the IMF and the World Bank to strengthen the international financial architecture, promote policies and practices that contribute to financial stability and transparency, and reduce countries external vulnerabilities.

Reform of the Policy on Public Debt Limits in IMF-Supported Programs

Reform of the Policy on Public Debt Limits in IMF-Supported Programs
Author: International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 67
Release: 2020-11-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513560883

This paper evaluates the IMF’s policy on the use of quantitative limits on public debt in IMF-supported programs (the “debt limits policy”) and proposes a number of modifications. The review is taking place at a time when many countries are experiencing heightened debt vulnerabilities or actual debt distress, aggravated by the COVID-19 shock, and occurring against the backdrop of a changing credit landscape in which concessional finance is scarcer relative to countries’ investment needs.

Guidance Note for Fund Staff on the Treatment and Use of SDR Allocations

Guidance Note for Fund Staff on the Treatment and Use of SDR Allocations
Author: International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 23
Release: 2009-08-28
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498335632

Against the backdrop of the global financial crisis, the IMF has decided to implement a US$250 billion general allocation of special drawing rights (SDRs). In addition, the Fourth Amendment of the Fund’s Articles of Agreement has recently become effective, and will make available to SDR Department participants a special allocation of up to an additional SDR 21.5 billion (US$33 billion). Nearly US$115 billion of these combined allocations will go to emerging market and developing countries, including about US$20 billion to low-income countries (LICs), thereby providing an important boost to the reserves of countries with the greatest needs.

Reform of the Policy on Public Debt Limits in Fund-Supported Programs

Reform of the Policy on Public Debt Limits in Fund-Supported Programs
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2014-11-14
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498342566

The reform of the Fund’s policy on the use of conditionality on public external debt in Fund-supported programs (the “debt limits policy”) has been under discussion since March 2013. The discussion has taken place against a backdrop where lower income countries are seeking to boost growth through higher public investment levels, targeted in particular at large infrastructure gaps, while facing both a wider range of external financing opportunities and limits on the supply of traditional concessional financing. The reform of the Fund’s policy on debt conditionality in 2009 was a first step to accommodate these new realities: experience with the 2009 reforms has pointed to the need for more fundamental reforms to provide countries with greater flexibility to finance productive investments while containing risks to medium-term debt sustainability. The reforms proposed here build on the Board review of the debt limits policy in March 2013, ensuing informal Board discussions in January and May 2014, discussions at an informal seminar in September 2014, and various stakeholder consultations. In developing this reform proposal, staff has sought to first specify a robust set of principles to guide the use of public debt conditionality in all Fund arrangements and then examine how these principles should apply in the specific circumstances of countries that normally rely on official external concessional financing.

Guidance Note For Developing Government Local Currency Bond Markets

Guidance Note For Developing Government Local Currency Bond Markets
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 157
Release: 2021-03-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513573926

This guidance note was prepared by International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group staff under a project undertaken with the support of grants from the Financial Sector Reform and Strengthening Initiative, (FIRST).The aim of the project was to deliver a report that provides emerging market and developing economies with guidance and a roadmap in developing their local currency bond markets (LCBMs). This note will also inform technical assistance missions in advising authorities on the formulation of policies to deepen LCBMs.