Developments since the onset of the financial crisis in 2008, however, have served as a reminder that monetary policy cannot always keep inflation and growth stable within a targeted range. This is true of both large and small currency areas. One reason is that the scale of the disruptions and distortions of recent years has been unusually large. Furthermore, the situation has been exacerbated by the fact that conventional interest rate policy has reached its limits. By introducing unconventional monetary policy measures, central banks have regained a certain room for manoeuvre. However, these unconventional measures cannot be deployed endlessly to achieve desirable monetary conditions. Interest rates, for example, cannot continue to be lowered into negative territory without at some point precipitating a flight to cash. Foreign exchange market interventions and quantitative easing programmes carry with them the increasing risk that a central bank’s ability to conduct monetary policy may be compromised in the long term. Furthermore, our practical experience of calibrating unconventional measures and of gauging their effects is still limited compared to that of the conventional interest rate instrument. In light of these reservations, unconventional measures must be used with caution, and their long-term consequences taken into consideration. They must also be continuously reassessed. Allow me now to illustrate how countries neighbouring the euro area have implemented their monetary policy since the onset of the financial crisis in 2008, using Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Sweden as examples.

In September 2007, Bank Negara Malaysia initiated the Financial Sector Talent Enrichment Programme (FSTEP) to train and prepare 1000 highly qualified graduates for immediate placements in banking and insurance institutions. This effort is undertaken in collaboration with the industry and training institutes and is aimed at boosting the supply of well-trained and competent personnel for the financial services industry. In the area of Islamic finance the continued international expansion has increased the demand for talent and expertise in the industry. The establishment of the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) in Malaysia in 2006 represents a structured investment in the development of human capital to support this global development of the  2  BIS Review 25/2008  Islamic financial services industry. The programmes are for practitioners and graduate students. In addition, it is envisioned that INCEIF will act both as a professional certification body as well as an education centre for post-graduate programmes in Islamic finance. With the firm commitment to build human capital, the challenge is to formulate the appropriate strategies and mobilise the resources necessary to produce results that will enhance the intellectual capital of the industry. This will require the combined efforts of internal strategies within banking institutions, that involves a holistic approach that coordinates the strategies for human resource management and development reinforced by strategies for organisational development. This will also involve putting in place the appropriate processes and structures. A total solution will be required. These efforts will also need to be supported by education providers.