Y V Reddy: Monetary co-operation in Asia
Speech by Dr Y V Reddy, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, at the IMF-MAS High-Level Seminar
on Asian Integration, Singapore, 3 September 2005.
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Mr. Chairman and distinguished participants,
It is a privilege to be associated with the deliberations on Asian Integration. Singapore very vividly
signifies both the diversity and potential for prosperity of the Asian region. We deeply appreciate the
hospitality and excellent arrangements made by the IMF and MAS for this High Level Seminar. The
discussion paper circulated by the MAS is of high quality and is a very useful document. This session
is devoted to subjects of special interest to Central Banks, namely "Enhancing Regional Surveillance
and Monetary Co-operation in Asia". I intend focusing on one of the topics flagged for discussion in
this session by the organizers, namely "Is there scope for co-operation or co-ordination on exchange
rate policies over the long term?"
In this brief presentation, I propose to explore the following areas: First, changing dynamics of
exchange rate regimes in Asia; second, importance of the Asian economies for global prosperity and
stability; third, the Asian dynamics of financial integration, fourth, the scope for co-operation or
co-ordination on exchange rate policies; and finally, some thoughts specific to the Indian situation.
Changing dynamics of exchange rate regimes in Asia
In the period prior to the 1997 crisis, many of the Asian economies followed an exchange rate regime
of fixed but adjustable pegs. During the East Asian crisis, it was realized that such pegs were quite
vulnerable to speculative attacks. Several East Asian economies have adopted different types of
exchange rate regimes in the post-crisis period. While some countries continued with pegged regimes,
others moved over to some kind of managed floats.
Thus, it appears that in most economies of Asia, the weight of experience seems to be tilted in favour
of intermediate regimes, and post-crisis, the choice of the exchange rate regimes generally reveals a
growing preference for relatively more flexible exchange rates than before. In this regard, given the
current state of relatively benign international financial market conditions, it is possible to speculate
that as the comfort level of forex reserves as self insurance is reached, and institutions and financial
markets in Asian economies acquire further resilience, this shift in preference might grow stronger and
wider. The recent moves by the Chinese and the Malaysian authorities would only substantiate such a
notion.
An intermediate managed floating regime may not sound technically a perfect system but, prima facie,
it has proven to be the most pragmatic which explains its popularity. The built-in flexibility allows the
domestic currency to be responsive to market forces, while it meets the concern of the authorities for
'basic stability' and orderly movement in forex markets. In contrast to a pure float, this mechanism can
prevent excessive exchange rate volatility that can have adverse impacts on external trade and
investment. In other words, rather than being distracted by a quest for the 'perfect system', perhaps it
is wise to focus on improving the working of any given float regime. The real issue in this regard
relates to how much of a float is envisaged and the nature, magnitudes as well as instruments of its
management. These would depend on several factors, especially the changing contours between
flexibility and volatility in each economy.
The recent record of very impressive growth in Asia has been driven by trade and cross-border
investment flows. The rapid strides achieved by China have provided a powerful stimulus for regional
expansion. But it is the nature of trade flows as much as their impressive scale that is shaping
economic relationships and prospects. While much of this trade involves production of goods, still
ultimately destined for the North American and European markets, it also reflects an increased division
of labour, product specialization and integration within the region. Together with this, fundamental
shifts in economic relations are also taking place.
Many of the intra-Asia trade flows, which correspond to the international division of labour between
Asian countries, are flows of exports of components and spares but not of finished goods for their end
consumers. A crucial question for some countries in the region is the level of income that would
enable domestic demand to become the main driving force of growth. As domestic demand, notably
household sector demand, becomes the driver of growth, movement to a more flexible exchange rate
policy would be feasible.
Similarly, as the corporates as well as financial intermediaries, especially banks equip themselves to
manage movements in exchange rate, greater flexibility would be feasible, as forex markets also
would tend to become less volatile. It is also necessary in this regard to recognize the 'insurance' in
the form of foreign exchange reserves needed against potentially volatile capital flows which should be
sufficient to take care of fluctuations in capital flows and 'liquidity at risk'. It is generally felt that
reserves would act as a circuit breaker for situations when unidirectional expectations become
selffulfilling. The swap arrangements among the Central Banks such as the one under Chiang Mai
Initiative (CMI) add to the level of 'insurance' and hence to the comfort factor to the Central Banks in
dealing with excess volatility in capital flows.
Recently there has been considerable expansion in global liquidity but this should not dilute the vigil of
ex
policy makers in regard to volatility in capital flows. Very often, it is difficult to assess, ante, whether
capital flows are temporary or permanent. It is prudent for policy makers to assume that they are
reversible till they are proven to be enduring. Impact on real economy of significant reverse
movements over a relatively short period could be destabilizing with attendant serious welfare
implications. We in Asia are acutely aware of these aspects. Recent sharp upward movements in oil
prices in an era of heightened uncertainties is yet another reason for policy makers in Asia to be
vigilant. The hikes in oil prices tend to have adverse consequences for growth and prices in several of
our economies but they also have significant impact on external sector, encompassing both current
and capital accounts. On current account, the trade deficit will tend to widen. On capital account,
surpluses generated in oil exporting countries may add to global liquidity and lead to large capital
inflows to emerging markets that are net importers of oil. Hence, a careful assessment of the medium
term sustainability would be imperative.
Over the medium to longer term, the exchange rate regimes and related policies are likely to be
influenced by (a) the confidence in the strength of Asian economies; (b) perceived resilience of their
economic as well as financial systems; (c) growing economic and financial integration amongst Asian
economies; (d) emerging significance of Asian economies in the global economy; (e) the state of
international financial architecture and market conditions and (f) policy-induced measures for
co-operation and co-ordination amongst Asian economies.
Importance of Asian economies and policies
The fact that the Asian economies have recovered swiftly after the crises of 1997 is an important
consideration in viewing the future external developments. The growth rate of developing Asia, which
had plummeted to 4.2 per cent in 1998, recovered quickly to 6.2 per cent in 1999, rising further to
6.6 percent in the year 2000. In the more recent period, the recovery in the output of the Asian
economies has been robust with developing Asia growing by nearly 8 per cent in 2003 and 2004. It is
widely recognized that the contribution of Asia to global growth has generally been very impressive in
recent years, and may continue to be so, for several years in future. The current account on the
balance of payments has been in surplus for many if not all Asian economies. The private capital flows
to the emerging Asia have recovered from an outflow of US $ 52 billion in 1998 to an inflow of US
$151 billion in 2004. At the same time, the reserve build up in the region has been significant.
In the backdrop of the resilience of the Asian economies and their ability to bounce back after a deep
financial crisis, there is resurgence of confidence in their future. Strategies in the form of having
mutual swap agreements under the Chiang Mai initiative, to guard against speculative attacks, could
now be enlarged, and could also be supplemented by greater co-operation and co-ordination in the
exchange rate regimes and policies.
Indeed, from a longer-term perspective, we must note that Asia is appropriately poised in terms of
abundance in factors of production - labour and capital - particularly labour, as the demography is
clearly in favour of Asia to sustain a long- term growth. The emergence of surplus factors of production
in Asia combined with financial strength would impact prices, wages and exchange rates. Asian
economies could explore strategies to evolve a system whereby they could not only prevent and, if
necessary, manage financial crises on their own to the extent possible, but also play a more active
role in co-ordinating policies with other major developed economies. These arrangements could be
consistent with continued and an active role of IMF in international monetary cooperation.
It is useful to recall that the acute sense of interdependence aroused by the financial "contagion" in
1997 convinced the Asian economies of the importance of economic cooperation, one that reflected
their common interests and priorities as well as strengthened their voice in the global arena. Among
others, this led to two parallel movements - one in South Asia in the form of the SAARC Initiative and
the other in East Asia reflecting the ASEAN+3 Initiative.
The idea of having an integrated financial system so as to provide viable 'safety net' in times of crisis
germinated. As a result, the idea of "ASEAN + 3" Initiative1 gained prominence. This, in turn, was
reflected in two correlated developments. First, in 2000, ASEAN+3 countries mutually agreed to form a
network of bilateral swap agreements to provide mutual protection from financial emergencies,
popularly known as the Chiang Mai Initiative. More recently, there has been a resurgence in the
debate on the formation of an Asian Monetary Fund and the adoption of an Asian Currency Unit.
Concomitantly, reflecting the parallel developments under the ASEAN+3 Initiative, there has been
wider discussion and debate on the formation of a South Asian Economic Union and a South Asian
Development Bank2. Second, the Asian Bond Fund Initiative3 was launched in 2003 reflecting the
effort to develop a regional bond market for catering to the medium and long term financing needs of
the Asian economies.
Asian dynamics of financial integration
It is useful to recognize that, there are several important factors that are relevant for considering
greater financial integration in Asia. First, the wide diversity in the level of economic development
across the region. Second, the divergent level of financial sector development across the region.
Third, the limited scope of the existing intra-region resource-pooling mechanism and the lack of
institutional frameworks. Fourth, the presence of asynchronous business cycles amongst the countries
in the region. Such divergences are aptly reflected in the asymmetric transmission of demand and
monetary shocks in the region.
There are significant developments that point to emergence of enabling factors for strengthening of
economic integration in Asia. First, emerging Asia fares quite well in terms of factor mobility and wage
and price flexibility. Second, the trade intensity ratios in emerging Asia, particularly the ASEAN region,
are quite high and are likely to accelerate. Further, Foreign Direct Investment flows within the region
are significant. Third, tariffs are being brought down rapidly. Fourth, the free trade agreements are
expanding and deepening making the prospects of tariff-free and virtual trade integration in Asia
sooner than later. Fifth, there is a strong commitment of political leadership in Asia to focus on
economic issues. There are regular and frequent close interactions among Central Bank Governors in
Asia which should strengthen the process of cooperation.
Scope for co-operation and co-ordination
The Chiang Mai Initiative is a good starting point to build on the various existing initiatives. Although
under the present dispensation the CMI is complementary to similar IMF initiatives, it has an important
symbolic value in as much as it can signal the markets a regional commitment to supporting any
member country's currency that is under speculative pressures. It also recognizes that establishing
swap arrangements does not obviate the need to address structural and financial sector weaknesses.
It may also be added that while CMI might have contributed to the exchange rate stability in the
region, it has also contributed to closer regional economic and financial integration and co-operation. It
is useful to discuss ways of carrying this process forward.
There are several fora already established for regional monetary cooperation. The Asian Clearing
Union (ACU), which was established in 1974 at the initiative of the Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) has eight member central banks. The main objective of the ACU is to
provide a facility to settle current international transactions among members on multilateral net
settlement basis. The ACU mechanism also provides for a currency swap type mechanism amongst
members for trade transactions. ACU aims to promote monetary co-operation amongst the members
and has also resulted in closer relations across the banking systems of the member countries. During
the last few years trade settled through ACU mechanism has grown at a rate higher than that of total
international trade of the member countries.
Yet another forum for exchange of views and experiences, including through visits and training
programmes, is SAARCFINANCE. Areas covered in recent months include communication policies
and practices of Central Banks and Real Time Gross Settlement systems.
The recent policy shift in China from a pegged to a flexible exchange rate regime is a significant
development in international finance. This step is a watershed in the financial sector reform process
now underway in China. Going by the available indications, China has long-term plans for
development of deep and liquid markets in financial assets, which would encompass foreign
exchange, bonds, and equities, as also commodities.
Some thoughts on India's approach
It may be useful to recall our experience with exchange rate management in India. In September
1975, the Government of India proposed a system of determining the exchange rate based on a
basket of five currencies, with weighting, based essentially though not entirely, on trade weights. The
permissible range for the exchange rate was 2.25 per cent on either side. The currencies chosen were
US Dollar, Pound Sterling, Deutsche Mark, Japanese Yen and SDR. The weights were revised in
1979, 1983 and 1984, though the currency composition broadly remained the same with only one
change in 1984 when French Franc replaced SDR. The band, however, was extended from 2.25 to
5.0 per cent in 1979 and from 5 to 10 per cent in 1986. Soon after the devaluation of the rupee in July
1991, there was a move in March 1992 to a regime of partial convertibility (essentially a dual
exchange rate). In March 1993 the regime changed to a uniform exchange rate of the rupee which
was market-determined - a system which remains in place to date. In August 1994, India moved over
to current account convertibility. From the latter part of 1997, India moved to a cautious and well
calibrated move towards capital account convertibility. These developments tested the exchange rate
regime which proved conducive to growth while maintaining stability.
India has been actively participating in the various initiatives in SAARCFINANCE and ACU
arrangements. Exchange of views and co-ordination in policies through both formal and informal
mechanisms have been the main characteristics of co-operation. India's trade links with Asia are
growing at an unprecedented scale. The stated policy in regard to tariffs is to bring them on par with
those of East Asia as soon as feasible. Policy on Free Trade Agreements with countries in Asia,
including SAPTA point to the binding forces of greater integration of India into Asia. Launching of
negotiations of Free Trade Agreements between ASEAN and India is of historic significance for
carrying forward Asian Integration.
As part of our policy of communication and to aid researchers and analysts the Reserve Bank of India
has been constructing a five-country and 36-country indices for Nominal Effective Exchange Rate
(NEER) and Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER). We have decided to review the REER and
accordingly we expect a new six-country index to replace the present five-country one. The new index
is likely to include the U.S.A., Eurozone, the U.K., Japan, China and Hong Kong. The new index would
in that case have two new currencies, both Asian, namely, the Renminbi and the Hong Kong Dollar.
The 36-country index already includes the key Asian countries, but its review is likely to result in some
enhancement of their weights. This reflects an increasing recognition of the Indian economy's rapidly
growing integration with Asia.