Fiscal Rules and the Pro-Cyclicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Fiscal Rules and the Pro-Cyclicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: Sebastien Dessus
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
Evidence from a large panel of low-income and lower middle-income countries over the period 1995-2012 suggests that, contrary to other countries, public investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) has been pro-cyclical. Public investment contracts more in "bad times" than it increases in "good times" and appears to have become pro-cyclical since the introduction of the fiscal convergence criteria in 1994. The pro-cyclicality of public expenditure and the high asymmetry of shocks that affect WAEMU countries justify exploring options for greater counter-cyclicality of rules-based fiscal frameworks and for risk-sharing.

Fiscal Rules and the Pro-cyclicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Fiscal Rules and the Pro-cyclicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Africa, West
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
West African Economic and Monetary Union arrangements have been instrumental in helping member countries maintain low inflation. However, a lesser-known characteristic of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, with possible implications for economic growth, is the high exposure to shocks and the pro-cyclicality of fiscal policy associated with these arrangements. Evidence from a panel of 80 low-income and lower middle-income countries over the period 1995-2012 suggests that, in the Union, both public investment and current public expenditure are more pro-cyclical than they are in other countries. In particular, public investment contracts more in "bad times" than it increases in "good times" in order to absorb negative shocks to the budget in the context of strict fiscal convergence criteria. The asymmetric response of public investment to shocks could thus be a reason for the relatively low levels of infrastructure in the Union. Comparisons with earlier periods suggest that public investment has become pro-cyclical since the introduction of the fiscal convergence criteria in 1994. Moreover, the shocks that affect Union member countries appear to be highly idiosyncratic and thus difficult to mitigate by the Union's common monetary policy. The pro-cyclicality of public expenditure and the high asymmetry of shocks that affect Union member countries justify exploring options for greater counter-cyclicality of rules-based fiscal frameworks and for risk-sharing.

Fiscal Rules and the Pro-Cyclicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Fiscal Rules and the Pro-Cyclicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: Sebastien Dessus
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
Evidence from a large panel of low-income and lower middle-income countries over the period 1995-2012 suggests that, contrary to other countries, public investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) has been pro-cyclical. Public investment contracts more in "bad times" than it increases in "good times" and appears to have become pro-cyclical since the introduction of the fiscal convergence criteria in 1994. The pro-cyclicality of public expenditure and the high asymmetry of shocks that affect WAEMU countries justify exploring options for greater counter-cyclicality of rules-based fiscal frameworks and for risk-sharing.

Protecting Public Investment Against Shocks in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Protecting Public Investment Against Shocks in the West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: S?bastien Dessus
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
West African Economic and Monetary Union arrangements have been instrumental in helping member countries maintain low inflation. However, a lesser-known characteristic of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, with possible implications for economic growth, is the high exposure to shocks and the pro-cyclicality of fiscal policy associated with these arrangements. Evidence from a panel of 80 low-income and lower middle-income countries over the period 1995-2012 suggests that, in the Union, both public investment and current public expenditure are more pro-cyclical than they are in other countries. In particular, public investment contracts more in "bad times" than it increases in "good times" in order to absorb negative shocks to the budget in the context of strict fiscal convergence criteria. The asymmetric response of public investment to shocks could thus be a reason for the relatively low levels of infrastructure in the Union. Comparisons with earlier periods suggest that public investment has become pro-cyclical since the introduction of the fiscal convergence criteria in 1994. Moreover, the shocks that affect Union member countries appear to be highly idiosyncratic and thus difficult to mitigate by the Union's common monetary policy. The pro-cyclicality of public expenditure and the high asymmetry of shocks that affect Union member countries justify exploring options for greater counter-cyclicality of rules-based fiscal frameworks and for risk-sharing.

Fiscal Rules and the Pro-Cycylicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Fiscal Rules and the Pro-Cycylicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: Sébastien Dessus
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic book
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description


West African Economic and Monetary Union

West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513571044
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description
Selected Issues

Cyclical Behavior of Fiscal Policy among Sub-Saharan African Countries

Cyclical Behavior of Fiscal Policy among Sub-Saharan African Countries PDF Author: Mr.Tetsuya Konuki
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513563548
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 39

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Book Description
Excessively procyclical fiscal policy can be harmful. This paper investigates to what extent the fiscal policies of sub-Saharan African countries were procyclical in recent years and the reasons for the degree of fiscal procyclicality among these countries. It finds that a tendency for procyclical fiscal policy was particularly pronounced among oil exporters and after the global financial crisis. It also finds a statistically significant causal link running from deeper financial markets and higher reserves coverage to lower fiscal policy procyclicality. Fiscal rules supported by strong political commitment and institutions seem to be key to facilitating progress for deeper financial markets and stronger reserves coverage.

Fiscal Discipline in WAEMU

Fiscal Discipline in WAEMU PDF Author: Mr.Ermal Hitaj
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 147552448X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 29

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Book Description
This paper gauges the scope for market discipline and the effectiveness of the regional surveillance framework in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The paper finds that the responsiveness of sovereign bond rates to governments’ fiscal behavior in the regional financial market remains limited. In addition, the paper examines the effectiveness of fiscal rules and institutions in an environment where financial markets fall short of exerting a significant disciplining effect on governments.

Strengthening the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Strengthening the West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: Olivier Basdevant
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513572792
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 27

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Book Description
West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries face a well-known dilemma between the need to provide shock-smoothing mechanisms and the lack of adequate mechanisms to do so. WAEMU countries are subject to frequent and, to a large extent, asymmetric shocks. They have remained poorly diversified and vulnerable to external shocks, such as changing weather conditions. In addition to limited shock-smoothing mechanisms at the regional level, WAEMU members’ ability to respond to shocks through national policies is also constrained by limited fiscal space and the need to preserve external stability—not only at the national level but also at the union level. In this context, developing a well-defined fiscal rule framework at the national level would help to build the necessary fiscal space for shock-smoothing. In addition, the development of specific shock-smoothing mechanisms—including a more developed and integrated financial sector—would also be critical. In addition, promoting financial development is also a challenge, which needs to be addressed in tandem with an adequate surveillance system. Some of these challenges have been faced by other monetary unions, such as the euro area.

Flexible Fiscal Rules and Countercyclical Fiscal Policy

Flexible Fiscal Rules and Countercyclical Fiscal Policy PDF Author: Ms.Martine Guerguil
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513529064
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 47

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Book Description
This paper assesses the impact of different types of flexible fiscal rules on the procyclicality of fiscal policy with propensity scores-matching techniques, thus mitigating traditional self-selection problems. It finds that not all fiscal rules have the same impact: the design matters. Specifically, investment-friendly rules reduce the procyclicality of both overall and investment spending. The effect appears stronger in bad times and when the rule is enacted at the national level. The introduction of escape clauses in fiscal rules does not seem to affect the cyclical stance of public spending. The inclusion of cyclical adjustment features in spending rules yields broadly similar results. The results are mixed for cyclically-adjusted budget balance rules: enacting the latter is associated with countercyclical movements in overall spending, but with procyclical changes in investment spending. Structural factors, such as past debt, the level of development, the volatility of terms of trade, natural resources endowment, government stability, and the legal enforcement and monitoring arrangements backing the rule also influence the link between fiscal rules and countercyclicality. The results are robust to a wide set of alternative specifications.

West African Economic and Monetary Union

West African Economic and Monetary Union PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 50

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Book Description
Since the 2008 Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), the financial sector of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) has undergone major changes that have altered its risk profile. Three structural changes have played a key role since the 2008 FSAP: (i) the financial sector has grown significantly; (ii) regional banking groups have become dominant; and (iii) the high concentration of bank portfolios in sovereign exposures, which accounted for an average of 31 percent of banking assets at end-2020, are almost triple the level observed in 2004. These changes have altered the structure of systemic risks and vulnerabilities and raised the need for implementing reforms to strengthen the effectiveness of the macroprudential policy and banking supervision frameworks.