Special drawing rights (SDR)
IMF doubles emergency lending capacity
Fund considering other options including SDR issuance, says Kristalina Georgieva
New ‘currency’ aims to tackle failings of its predecessors
Saga sits somewhere between a stablecoin and a crypto asset – and has been designed by a team that includes former central bankers
‘Hegemonic digital currency’ could help fix global system – Carney
Using CBDC to facilitate online sales could bring about more rapid change, governor says
The IMF should adopt a ‘real SDR’
The creation of a vibrant market in SDR linked to commodity prices could create a powerful new monetary anchor, argues Warren Coats
Guinean central bank benefits from reform programme – IMF staff
Bank has improved internal systems and lowered financing of government, staff report says
IMF agrees new aid package for Ukraine
Statement praises Ukrainian reforms but says aid will still be linked to continuing progress
Zimbabwe clears debt with IMF but hurdles to financing remain
IMF looks to extend debt deadline for Somalia and Sudan
Reserve managers cautious on renminbi, despite predicting rapid growth
Market liberalisation, government intervention and PBoC’s approach to new areas of investment are top concerns
The IFF China Report 2018: The Belt and Road Initiative
China’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) now includes 71 countries, with trillions of dollars of investment allocated. Leading Chinese and international policymakers explain how BRI efforts are progressing. This section includes an inaugural…
SNB achieved record profits in 2017
Acquisitions of euros and dollars via foreign exchange interventions yielded 91% of the gains; SNB reshapes portfolio with greater share of equities and riskier bonds
Iraq suspends dollar payments to some Kurdish banks
Future of agreement on oil revenues unclear as country faces significant economic problems
Book notes: The Tides of Capital, by Julia Leung
This “stimulating read” offers a unique perspective on how Asian countries have developed economically over the past 20 years. More interesting is Leung’s unintentional revelation that they still have a long way to go
Book notes: Gaining Currency, by Eswar Prasad
A detailed study into the renminbi’s journey to becoming the reserve currency, taking a close look at the hurdles it has overcome and what obstacles remain in its way to competing on the global stage
IMF faces funding challenges, Irish paper says
Current funding set up is “fragile” with “significant uncertainty”, paper argues
IMF amends SDR calculation method
Exchange rates used to calculate SDR to be obtained from a commercial provider by the Bank of England, in effort to make methodology more “robust”
Inclusion of renminbi in SDR is ‘symbolic’, says Bernanke
Former Fed chair sees inclusion of renminbi in SDR basket as a ‘symbolic’ gesture rather than a major shift; Eswar Prasad argues currency will never be a safe haven
IMF lauds renminbi SDR launch, but some see momentum stalling
Fund officials praise China’s proactive approach to meeting SDR goals, but others warn progress on renminbi internationalisation may be slowing
The Chinese G20 presidency may mark a turning point
Mark Uzan defends the oft-criticised G20 communiqué, arguing the Chinese presidency of the global group has created genuine progress
PBoC gives World Bank green light as China’s first SDR bond issuer
World Bank to issue China’s first bond denominated in special drawing rights, in “landmark” step towards opening up Chinese bond market
IMF changes method for calculating SDR currency amounts
IMF will switch to new SDR basket in October, including renminbi for the first time; calculation will use new rounding methodology aimed at minimising deviation from weightings
Steps still needed for renminbi to become reserve currency – BIS head of banking
BIS’s Zöllner considers whether renminbi will become reserve currency; continued modernisation of market infrastructure needed, he says
South African rand and Chinese renminbi now tradable on CFETS
Bilateral trading between rand and renminbi will cut costs, Sarb's head of financial markets says, as China makes latest move towards renminbi internationalisation
The renminbi and the international monetary system
Zhou Yueqiu, director of the Urban Finance Research Institute of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, offers some perspectives on the future role for the renminbi post-SDR inclusion
Reform facilitated by the renminbi’s inclusion in the SDR basket
Ba Shusong, IFF Academic Committee member and chief China economist of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong examines the significance of the renminbi’s SDR inclusion