Parallel Currency Markets in Developing Countries

Parallel Currency Markets in Developing Countries
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 52
Release: 1990-12-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1451943229

The paper reviews recent theoretical and empirical developments in the analysis of informal currency markets in developing countries. The basic characteristics of these markets are highlighted, and alternative analytical models to explain them are discussed. The implications for exchange rate policy —including imposition of foreign exchange restrictions, devaluation, and unification of exchange markets— in countries with a sizable parallel market are also examined.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 79
Release: 2018-01-24
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484338502

This IMF Staff Report for 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that Ethiopia has recorded annual average GDP growth of about ten percent in the last decade, driven by public investments in agriculture and infrastructure. The poverty rate has fallen from 44 percent in 2000 to 23.5 percent in 2015/16. In 2016/17 GDP growth is estimated at 9 percent, as agriculture rebounded from severe drought conditions in 2015/16. Industrial activity expanded, with continued investments in infrastructure and manufacturing. The current account deficit declined in 2016/17 to 8.2 percent of GDP. Over the medium term, growth is expected to remain about 8 percent, supported by sustained expansion in exports and investment.

Exchange Controls and Parallel Market Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa

Exchange Controls and Parallel Market Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa
Author: Ernesto May
Publisher:
Total Pages: 168
Release: 1985
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

This paper provides a theoretical framework to understand the way in which exchange controls modify the behavior of the different agents in the economy, leading to the creation of a parallel market economy. It gives the necessary theoretical elements to analyze this parallel market economy and provides a simple methodology to obtain relevant quantitative information about it. Finally, the paper elaborates on some of the policy implications of the existence of a parallel market economy. The model developed shows that the parallel market activities can be explained through the optimizing behavior of exporters and importers, which determines the amount of import and export smuggling, the level of the rent-seeking activity, and the black market exchange rate that is consistent with an equilibrium position where no one has any more incentives to move from their attained position. A method to detect the presence, and assess the magnitude of the parallel market economy, as well as to explain its behavior quantitatively, is then developed and applied to the case of Ghana.

Exchange Rate Misalignment in Developing Countries

Exchange Rate Misalignment in Developing Countries
Author: Sebastian Edwards
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Total Pages: 110
Release: 1988
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

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 Oxford Companion to the Economics of Africa

The Oxford Companion to the Economics of Africa
Author: Ernest Aryeetey
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 688
Release: 2012-01-19
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0191640484

Africa is a diverse continent. But is there a pattern to the diversity? Are there commonalities across the countries? And what does economics tell us about the diversity and the commonalities? The Oxford Companion to the Economics of Africa is a definitive and comprehensive account of the key issues and topics affecting Africa's ability to grow and develop. It includes 53 thematic and 48 country perspectives by a veritable who's who of more than 100 leading economic analysts of Africa. The contributors include: bright new African researchers based in Africa; renowned academics from the top Universities in Africa, Europe and North America; present and past Chief Economists of the African Development Bank; present and past Chief Economists for Africa of the World Bank; present and past Chief Economists of the World Bank; African Central Bank governors and finance ministers; and four Nobel Laureates in Economics.

The effect of exchange rates on economic growth in Ethiopia

The effect of exchange rates on economic growth in Ethiopia
Author: Muluken Nigussie Tessema
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Total Pages: 87
Release: 2020-04-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 334614514X

Master's Thesis from the year 2016 in the subject Business economics - General, grade: 3.68, Saint Mary's University, language: English, abstract: This study attempts to investigate the effect of exchange rates on economic growth in Ethiopia using annual time series data spanning from 1985/86 to 2014/15. The explanatory variables in this study were real effective exchange rate, government final consumption expenditure, gross fixed capital formation, broad money supply and trade openness. The multilateral real exchange rates is used to measure real exchange rates. Results from Vector Error Correction Model revealed that real effective exchange rates, broad money supply and trade openness have a positive long run effect on economic growth, while government final consumption have a negative long run effect on the economic growth of Ethiopia. From the regression results, it was noted that undervaluation of the currency is contractionary in the long run and neutral in the short- run. As such, the effect of exchange rates on economic growth works through the supply channel. It is the reflection of various economic and policy shocks, mainly a strategy shifts, of the government. Based on the findings of this study, the researcher recommended that since the Ethiopian output is dominated by primary agricultural products and it is insensitive for the change in exchange rate. Government intervention is needed to balance the adverse effect of exchange rate movements until the economy well transformed from agricultural lead economy to industrial lead economy and becomes less dependent on imported raw materials.

Recognizing Reality—Unification of Official and Parallel Market Exchange Rates

Recognizing Reality—Unification of Official and Parallel Market Exchange Rates
Author: Mr.Simon T Gray
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2021-02-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513568639

Some central banks have maintained overvalued official exchange rates, while unable to ensure that supply of foreign exchange meets legitimate demand for current account transactions at that price. A parallel exchange rate market develops, in such circumstances; and when the spread between the official and parallel rates is both substantial and sustained, price levels in the economy typically reflect the parallel market exchange rate. “Recognizing reality” by allowing economic agents to use a market clearing rate benefits economic activity without necessarily leading to more inflation. But a unified, market-clearing exchange rate will not stabilize without a supportive fiscal and monetary context. A number of country case studies are included; my thanks to Jie Ren for pulling together all the data for the country case studies, and the production of the charts.

Parallel Exchange Rates in Developing Countries

Parallel Exchange Rates in Developing Countries
Author: Miguel Alberto Kiguel
Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
Total Pages: 426
Release: 1997
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

The evidence of black market exchange rate systems and their impact on macroeconomic performance is well documented in this fully researched study of the problem. The book offers policy conclusions after assessing the evidence.