Download or read book How to Improve the Effectiveness of Monetary Policy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union written by Mr.Alexei Kireyev and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2015-05-05 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) is a currency union with a fixed exchange rate and limited capital mobility and, therefore, an independent monetary policy in the short run. The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) is conducting the single monetary policy with the main goal of preserving price stability and supporting economic growth. However, the effectiveness of its monetary policy remains low, with a weak reaction of market interest rates and inflation to BCEAO’s policy actions. The paper concludes that, while the institutional setup and the instruments of monetary policy are adequate, the transmission mechanism of monetary policy remains constrained by liquidity management practices, shallow and segmented financial markets, and interest rate rigidities. To improve the effectiveness of monetary policy the BCEAO should be more proactive in determining the stance of fiscal policies, develop financial markets, and liberalize controlled interest rates. The BCEAO is undertaking important reforms in these directions.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2024-04-17 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The WAEMU has seen strong growth and rising living standards over the past decade. Economic growth averaged 5.4 percent in 2013-2019 and 5.8 percent in 2021-2023. Policy efforts from regional and national authorities have cushioned the impact of several external and internal shocks, prompting a solid economic recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic, despite increasing security issues. Meanwhile, the Human Development Index has increased from 0.44 in 2013 to 0.48 in 2021.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union WAEMU written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2016-04-04 with total page 67 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper presents stylized facts on the quantitative and qualitative infrastructure gap in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), estimates the efficiency of public investment, and recommends how to improve it. The WAEMU countries face an important common challenge of creating sufficient fiscal space to finance ambitious growth, development, and poverty-reduction programs in individual countries. This paper also provides comparative evidence of the situation of WAEMU in several areas of financial development relative to groups of benchmark countries. The state of inclusion in the WAEMU along three dimensions—poverty, income inequality, and gender inequality—is also examined in this paper.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2015-04-13 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: KEY ISSUES Context. The region continued to experience strong growth in 2014, led by the continued economic expansion in Cote d’Ivoire. The outlook is for further strong growth, subject to a range of downward risks, in particular political instability ahead of upcoming elections in several countries, and security issues in Mali and Niger. With an elevated fiscal deficit exerting pressure on the balance of payments and the regional financial market, delays in fiscal consolidation or structural reforms pose the main medium-term risks. Policy recommendations: • Fiscal consolidation. Safeguarding external stability in the region will require governments to adhere to their budget deficit reduction plans while maintaining public investment efforts, which will require increasing tax revenue and controlling current expenditure. • Monetary policy. Macroeconomic conditions do not warrant a tightening of monetary policy at this juncture. However, if fiscal deficits do not decline as envisaged, the BCEAO should consider increasing its policy rates. In the mean time, the BCEAO should very closely follow the evolution of the macro-prudential risks flowing from its sharp increase in commercial bank refinancing. • Financial stability. The WAEMU authorities should enforce existing prudential rules and raise standards to international best practice. Ongoing reforms go in the right direction but need to be accelerated. • Structural transformation and regional integration. Policies to promote structural transformation should focus on addressing weaknesses, such as the lack of education and training, finance, and supportive regulatory environments. Countries should refrain from using the possibility to deviate from the common external tariff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in force since January 1, 2015, in order to protect the gains from regional integration in WAEMU.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union WAEMU written by International Monetary Fund and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2012-03-22 with total page 71 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The staff report on discussions with regional institutions of the West African Economic and Monetary Union is presented. The region faced a number of challenges in 2011, with the intensification of the political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire and a large increase in global food and fuel prices. A materialization of downside risks could require a monetary policy relaxation for the union and differentiated fiscal responses across member countries. The drought in the Sahel may also require a more active fiscal policy in the affected countries.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union WAEMU written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2018-04-25 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) member countries have experienced growth acceleration since 2012. Relative to an earlier reference period in the 1990s, the WAEMU’s recent strong growth has coincided with an increase in macroeconomic stability and investment, improvement in political institutions, improvement in the terms of trade, and increase in productivity.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2015-04-13 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: KEY ISSUES Context. The region continued to experience strong growth in 2014, led by the continued economic expansion in Cote d’Ivoire. The outlook is for further strong growth, subject to a range of downward risks, in particular political instability ahead of upcoming elections in several countries, and security issues in Mali and Niger. With an elevated fiscal deficit exerting pressure on the balance of payments and the regional financial market, delays in fiscal consolidation or structural reforms pose the main medium-term risks. Policy recommendations: • Fiscal consolidation. Safeguarding external stability in the region will require governments to adhere to their budget deficit reduction plans while maintaining public investment efforts, which will require increasing tax revenue and controlling current expenditure. • Monetary policy. Macroeconomic conditions do not warrant a tightening of monetary policy at this juncture. However, if fiscal deficits do not decline as envisaged, the BCEAO should consider increasing its policy rates. In the mean time, the BCEAO should very closely follow the evolution of the macro-prudential risks flowing from its sharp increase in commercial bank refinancing. • Financial stability. The WAEMU authorities should enforce existing prudential rules and raise standards to international best practice. Ongoing reforms go in the right direction but need to be accelerated. • Structural transformation and regional integration. Policies to promote structural transformation should focus on addressing weaknesses, such as the lack of education and training, finance, and supportive regulatory environments. Countries should refrain from using the possibility to deviate from the common external tariff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in force since January 1, 2015, in order to protect the gains from regional integration in WAEMU.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2021-03-02 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Selected Issues
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union WAEMU written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2014-03-21 with total page 87 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) IMF staff report focuses on common policies for member countries. The region continued to experience a strong upswing in 2013, and the immediate outlook is for further vigorous growth and moderate inflation. Delays in implementing reforms, at both the national and regional levels, are the principal medium-term risk. It highlights that with continued strong growth projected for the region, countries are encouraged to seek opportunities to strengthen fiscal sustainability while maintaining public investment efforts.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2023-03-07 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The WAEMU’s post-Covid-19 recovery has so far withstood the new global and regional shocks, partly owing to supportive fiscal and monetary policies as well as relatively strong macroeconomic fundamentals over the previous decade. Growth prospects remain favorable, reserves—albeit declining—remain adequate, and the financial system appears to be resilient. However, the region faces important challenges associated with rising inflation, limited access to international capital markets, eroding external buffers, and regional security issues, in the presence of elevated global risks.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union WAEMU written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2014-03-21 with total page 87 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) IMF staff report focuses on common policies for member countries. The region continued to experience a strong upswing in 2013, and the immediate outlook is for further vigorous growth and moderate inflation. Delays in implementing reforms, at both the national and regional levels, are the principal medium-term risk. It highlights that with continued strong growth projected for the region, countries are encouraged to seek opportunities to strengthen fiscal sustainability while maintaining public investment efforts.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union WAEMU written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2019-03-29 with total page 46 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This regional consultation IMF staff report for West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) highlights that growth remained strong in 2018, the fiscal deficit narrowed by 1/2 percentage point of GDP, external reserves increased, and important banking reforms were put in place, including the introduction of Basel II/III standards. The medium-term outlook remains positive despite somewhat less favorable global conditions, but critically hinges on planned fiscal consolidation and structural reforms to improve competitiveness and allow the private sector to become the main engine of growth. Other risks relate to terms-of-trade and weather shocks, and a difficult security situation in some countries. The report also discusses that collectively adhering to fiscal consolidation commitments, with a greater focus on domestic revenue mobilization and more effective control of below-the-line operations, is essential to lower risks of public debt distress, support international reserves, and preserve external viability. Structural policies aimed at improving competitiveness and growth inclusiveness are critical to reducing vulnerabilities to external shocks, building external buffers, stimulating private-sector-led growth, and making the growth momentum sustainable.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union Selected Issues written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2022-03-02 with total page 58 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Selected Issues
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union written by International Monetary Fund. African Dept. and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2015-04-13 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Selected Issues paper on West African Economic and Monetary Union presents external stability assessment report. The current account deficit declined in 2014. Although gross international reserve coverage has increased slightly, part of the current account deficit has been financed by a decline in commercial banks’ net foreign assets. Contingent on the implementation of government’s consolidation plans, and helped by a favorable oil price outlook, the current account deficit would further gradually decline and be matched by enough financial inflows in the medium term. According to various metrics, the real exchange rate appears to be broadly aligned with fundamentals. International reserve coverage should increase to provide stronger buffers against immediate short-term risks. Structural competitiveness and investment efficiency improvements will be essential to ensure that the planned large investment programs translate into growth and export gains as well as increased private inflows into the region.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union Staff Report On Common Policies for Member Countries Press Release Staff Report and Statement by the Executive for the WAEMU written by International Monetary and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2022-03-02 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The WAEMU has, so far, demonstrated strong resilience to the Covid crisis. The economic rebound that started in the second half of 2020 firmed up in 2021, while fiscal and monetary policies remained supportive. External reserves have risen to comfortable levels and the financial system appears to be broadly sound. However, the region faces significant challenges to ensure the sustainability of macroeconomic policies, while supporting the economic recovery and navigating the uncertain outlook.
Download or read book West African Economic and Monetary Union written by Patrick A. Imam and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2013-10-22 with total page 46 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The financial system in the WAEMU remains largely bank-based. The banking sector comprises 106 banks and 13 financial institutions, which together hold more than 90 percent of the financial system’s assets (about 54 percent of GDP at end-2011). Five banks account for 50 percent of banking assets. The ownership structure of the sector is changing fast, with the rapid rise of foreign-owned (pan-African) banks. This contributes to higher competition but also rising heterogeneity in the banking system, with large and profitable cross-country groups competing with often weaker country-based (and sometime government-owned) banks. Nonbank financial institutions are developing quickly, notably insurance companies, but remain overall small. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the banking system.
Download or read book Responding to Shocks and Maintaining Stability in the West African Economic and Monetary Union written by Ms.Christina Kolerus and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2013-10-22 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), like other monetary unions, faces a number of challenges in dealing with macroeconomic shocks. The region experiences a large number of exogenous shocks: climate-related (e.g., droughts, floods), with a heavy toll on populations and agriculture, but also economic (e.g., terms of trade), with a large impact on key sectors and the cost of living. More generally business cycle synchronization within the WAEMU seems low. Addressing these shocks, while preserving the stability of the union, is therefore a critical issue in the WAEMU.This paper discusses these issues and suggests possible reforms.
