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Unification of Myanmar's Foreign Exchange Market: Progress and Remaining Challenges

This presentation explores the transition to a managed float exchange rate system in Myanmar, initiated in April 2012, and evaluates its implications for unifying the foreign exchange market. Key issues discussed include the lingering segmentation between public and private sectors, the impact of price controls, and the challenges in establishing effective exchange rate policies. The analysis includes policy recommendations aimed at fostering a more cohesive market structure and enhancing financial market development to improve the transmission channels of exchange rate policies.

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Unification of Myanmar's Foreign Exchange Market: Progress and Remaining Challenges

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  1. Unification of the Segmented Foreign Exchange Market in Myanmar February 2013 Koji KUBO Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO)

  2. Research Questions • Does the move to a managed float exchange rate system in April 2012 signify the unification of the foreign exchange market? • What are remaining challenges to establish the ground for exchange rate policies? • Transmission channel • Market instruments

  3. Outline of Presentation • Unified foreign exchange market and segmentation: Benchmark case • Market structure before the reform • Reform and remaining challenges • Policy recommendations

  4. Section 1 Unified foreign exchange market and segmentation

  5. 1. Hypothetical benchmark:banks are in the middle. (1/2)

  6. 1. 1. Hypothetical benchmark:banks are in the middle. (2/2) • Foreign exchange dealer banks as main counterparties • Transmission channel of exchange rate policies

  7. 2. Causes of segmentation • Price (exchange rate ) controls • Pegged rate and parallel rate • Regulations • Regulations on the uses and sources of foreign exchange • Ban on portfolio investment • ‘export-first, import-second’ policy (export earnings and US dollar cash)

  8. 3. Why is segmentation a problem? • Implicit tax on exporters and implicit subsidies on importers • Price distortion and inefficient resource allocation • Block transmission channel: Financial authorities cannot control all segments.

  9. Section 2 Market structure before the reform

  10. Two segmentations in Myanmar • Between public and private sectors • Official exchange rate in the public sector • Parallel exchange rates in the private sector • Within private sector • Conditionality of import licensing • Export earnings (Foreign Currency Deposits) • Dollar cash • Foreign exchange certificate (FEC)

  11. The gaps among export earnings, US dollar cash, and FEC Cyclone Nargis Source: Japan External Trade Organization, Yangon Office

  12. Transactions took place outside the banking system.

  13. Section 3 Reform and remaining challenges

  14. 1. Reforms under the new government • October 2011: opening of money change counter • November 2011: foreign exchange dealer license to 11 banks (later 14 banks) • April 2012: move to a managed float system • Daily announcement of Central Bank reference rate • Auction of foreign currency with AD banks • April 2012: abolition of ‘export first’ policy • August 2012: permission of int’l banking services at private AD banks • December 2012: money changer license to non-banks

  15. Mark-up of export earnings disappeared in May 2012, but there were some gaps among rates. Source: Japan External Trade Organization, Yangon Office

  16. 2. Remaining challenges (1) • Segmentation between public and private sectors • Segmentation within private sector • Price gaps • Large parallel market: Banking sector is not intermediating the foreign exchange transactions. • Domestic account transfer and parallel market • Limitedtransmission channel of exchange rate policies

  17. 2. Remaining Challenges (2) • Underdeveloped financial market • Limited instruments for sterilization

  18. Sterilization instruments are limited.Kyat cash is predominant in small financial market. Source: IMF, International Financial Statistics Note: CIC stands for Currency in circulation.

  19. Section 4 Policy Recommendations

  20. Policy Recommendations (1) Transmission mechanism • Encourage exporters to sell their foreign exchange to banks • Stick: Tax on domestic account transfer of export earnings • Carrots: Discount market of L/C • CBM’s commitment to convertibility • Larger intervention when necessary • People’s expectation on stable exchange rate (when kyat is weakening, people do not release dollar)

  21. Policy Recommendations (2) Instruments for sterilization • Banking sector development • Foreign currency deposits as a source of kyat deposits • Prohibition of foreign currency loans to prevent dollarization

  22. Thank you for listening! For inquiries and comments, e-mail to koji_kubo@ide-jetro.org

  23. Appendix Trend of real effective exchange rate

  24. Real effective exchange rate: appreciation exceeds 100% ↑　Appreciation

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