Introduction of Capital Control

939 Words4 Pages
I. What Are Capital Controls? Capital controls restrict the free movement of capital. Countries use these controls to restrict volatile movements of capital entering (inflows) and exiting (outflows) their country. These increased volatile movements in capital can be attributed to the expanding global economy and a country's willingness to liberalize its financial system by allowing free convertibility of its currency. Analysts say currency convertibility has normally been allowed to finance current trade and direct investment transactions. Only recently has currency convertibility also been allowed in the capital account. By introducing this "capital account convertibility," countries expose themselves to autonomous inflows and outflows of funds (capital) by foreigners and locals, thus subjecting their currency to speculation and exchange rate volatility. Restrictions can be placed on capital inflows and outflows. The IMF report states that most countries impose controls on inflows to respond to the macroeconomic implications of the increasing size and volatility of capital inflows. Outflow controls are used to limit the downward pressure on their currencies. Such controls are mainly applied to short-term capital transactions to counter speculative flows that threaten to undermine the stability of the exchange rate and deplete foreign exchange reserves. A. Why Capital Controls? The report states that many countries implement capital controls to help reconcile conflicting policy objectives when their exchange rate is fixed or heavily managed. The most common argument for the implementation of capital controls is to preserve the autonomy of monetary policy or of domestic objectives regarding direct monetary policy, as well as to reduce pressures on the exchange rate. A related argument is to protect monetary and financial stability during persistent capital flows.

More about Introduction of Capital Control

Open Document