Factors impacting FCAC implementation

In the first article we explained what Full Capital Account Convertibility is. This section will explain some of the determinant factors of FCAC.

II. Direct and Indirect Factors Impacting FCAC Decision

II.A. CAC and Exchange Rate Regime

This section begins with the well-known Trilemma of Impossible Trinity, which says it is impossible to achieve the following three goals simultaneously: Exchange Rate Stability, Capital Market Integration and Monetary Autonomy. Any pair of goals is achievable by adopting a suitable payments regime abandoning the third. In particular,

Choice of appropriate X-Rate is critical in justifying long-run viability and desirability of CAC. Instead

of adopting a rigidly fixed X-Rate, many countries have a “Managed Float”system where, even though

the domestic currency is de-jure fully flexible and is “determined” by market demand and supply,

the central bank intervenes at the right time to lessen any undesirable impacts of an appreciation or

depreciation of domestic currency (primarily through Forex buying and selling) so that the deviation

doesn’t extend beyond a certain band. This system is opted with the intention of keeping the X-rate

within a targeted range.

Another wisely adopted system is the Pegged X-Rate system where the country in question “Pegs”

its domestic “Soft Currency” to another “Hard Currency” (such as US Dollar). The value of domestic

currency fluctuates according to the direction of change in the value of the Hard Currency. However, a

time-tested fallout of a pegged system is that, if the domestic currency is kept deliberately overvalued

for a prolonged period, the long-run export-competitiveness gets adversely affected whereas imports

become cheaper, so current account deficit starts to widen. After a threshold level such an economy

becomes unviable.

Since full CAC would result in increased forex flows in and out of the country, choice of X-rate becomes

an important factor.

II.B. Trade Openness and CAC

Trade openness is indirectly linked to capital account convertibility. The exports/GDP ratio and the

Imports/GDP ratio together determine the CAD/GDP ratio. A widening CAD is sustainable if and only if

matched by sufficient forex reserves or capital inflows, or both. Capital control affects CAD financing and

sustainability.

II.C. Foreign Exchange Reserves Adequacy

Adequacy of forex reserves is an important consideration for capital account liberalization. With respect

to managed-float economies, a passive way in which reserve accumulation occurs is as consequence of

the exchange rate policy – when the central bank intervenes in forex market and buys forex. This is done

when huge forex surplus is there in the system due to capital inflows. When forex supply exceeds forex

demand, domestic currency appreciates. The appreciated domestic currency increases the forex value of

the exportable, thus adversely affecting export-competitiveness. So the central bank buys forex in order

to prevent this. However, there are costs associated with holding huge forex reserves. Increasing the

forex reserves beyond a point is problematic for the central banks, since it increases liability.

However, accumulation of excessive reserves can lead to a negative BOP problem.

That’s for this week, I hope you found that informative, if you any comments or doubts please comment

below.

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