Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

18 p.

Publication Date

3-2001

Publisher

Sejong University, Sejong Institution, Center for International Economics

Source Publication

Journal of Economic Integration

Source ISSN

1225-651X

Abstract

The exchange rate arrangement represents an important policy choice for emerging and transitional economies as they strive to become stable and market-driven. A wide variety of arrangements have emerged, ranging from currency boards, basket-currency pegs and single-currency pegs to floating rates. Recently the IMF has recommended that, if the exchange value of a currency is to be pegged, it is better to peg to a basket of currencies rather than a single currency. Nonetheless, there has been little theoretical research on the management and optimal design of basket-peg arrangements. In this paper we extend the small-country macroeconomic model of Turnovsky to show that an optimally designed basket-peg arrangement can minimize the variance in domestic consumer prices as well as the variance of foreign reserves. The model highlights the importance of the money and bond markets and, therefore, the importance of various interest rate channels. Additionally we show that a trade-weighted currency basket is not only suboptimal, it is at odds with increasing capital market integration. Further our solutions illustrate that the optimal weights will evolve as the domestic economy integrates with the global market for goods and services, and financial instruments.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Economic Integration, Vol. 16, No. 1 (March 2001): 128-145. DOI. © 2001 Center for International Economics, Sejong Institution. Used with permission.

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