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The Natural Resource Curse II: Recommendations to Avoid the Pitfalls Jeffrey Frankel Harpel Professor, Harvard University IMF, April 26, 2011
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Institutions & Policies to Address the Natural Resource Curse Institutions & Policies to Address the Natural Resource Curse A wide variety of measures have been tried to cope with the commodity cycle. [1] A wide variety of measures have been tried to cope with the commodity cycle. [1] [1] Some work better than others. Some work better than others. [1][1] E.g., Davis, et al (2003) and Sachs (2007). [1]
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Policies/Institutions to Deal with the NRC I. Coping with volatility: Devices to share risk II. Monetary / Exchange rate policy III. How to insure saving in boom times IV. Imposing external checks for countries with weak internal institutions.
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I. Dealing with volatility: Accept its existence and adopt institutions to cope with it 3 Devices to share risk efficiently 1. For energy producers who sign contracts with foreign companies. 2. For producers who sell their minerals themselves. 3. For debtors dependent on mineral revenues.
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1. Price setting in contracts with foreign companies Price setting in contracts between producing countries and foreign mining companies is often plagued by a problem that is known to theorists as “time inconsistency”: (i) A price is set by contract. Price setting in contracts between producing countries and foreign mining companies is often plagued by a problem that is known to theorists as “time inconsistency”: (i) A price is set by contract. (ii) Later the world price goes up, and the government wants to renege. It doesn't want to give the company all the profits, and why should it? (ii) Later the world price goes up, and the government wants to renege. It doesn't want to give the company all the profits, and why should it? But this is a “repeated game.” But this is a “repeated game.” The risk that the locals will renege makes foreign companies reluctant to do business in the first place. The risk that the locals will renege makes foreign companies reluctant to do business in the first place. It limits the amount of capital available to the country, and probably raises the cost of that capital. It limits the amount of capital available to the country, and probably raises the cost of that capital. The process of renegotiation can have large transactions costs, including interruptions in the export flow. The process of renegotiation can have large transactions costs, including interruptions in the export flow.
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Solution for price setting in contracts Indexed contracts: Indexed contracts: the two parties agree ahead of time, “if the world price goes up 10%, then the gains are split between the company and the government” in some particular proportion. the two parties agree ahead of time, “if the world price goes up 10%, then the gains are split between the company and the government” in some particular proportion. Indexation shares the risks of gains and losses, Indexation shares the risks of gains and losses, without the costs of renegotiation or without the costs of renegotiation or damage to a country’s reputation from reneging. damage to a country’s reputation from reneging.
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2. Hedging in commodity futures markets Producers who sell their minerals on international spot markets, Producers who sell their minerals on international spot markets, are exposed to the risk that the $ price rises or falls. are exposed to the risk that the $ price rises or falls. The producer can hedge the risk by selling that quantity on the forward or futures market. The producer can hedge the risk by selling that quantity on the forward or futures market. Hedging => no need for costly renegotiation if world price changes. Hedging => no need for costly renegotiation if world price changes. as with indexation of the contract price. as with indexation of the contract price. The adjustment happens automatically. The adjustment happens automatically. Mexico has hedged its oil revenues in this way. Mexico has hedged its oil revenues in this way. One possible drawback, if a government ministry hedges: the Minister receives no credit for having saved the country from disaster when the world price falls, but is excoriated for having sold out the national patrimony when the price rises. One possible drawback, if a government ministry hedges: the Minister receives no credit for having saved the country from disaster when the world price falls, but is excoriated for having sold out the national patrimony when the price rises. Mexico thus uses options to eliminate only the risk of a fall in price. Mexico thus uses options to eliminate only the risk of a fall in price.
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3. Denomination of debt in terms of the mineral price An copper-producer should index its debt to the copper price. An copper-producer should index its debt to the copper price. So debt service obligations automatically rise & fall with the world price. So debt service obligations automatically rise & fall with the world price. Debt crises hit Mexico in 1982 and Indonesia, Russia & Ecuador in 1998, Debt crises hit Mexico in 1982 and Indonesia, Russia & Ecuador in 1998, when the $ prices of their oil exports fell, when the $ prices of their oil exports fell, and so their debt service ratios worsened abruptly. and so their debt service ratios worsened abruptly. This would not have happened if their debts had been indexed to the oil price. This would not have happened if their debts had been indexed to the oil price. As with contract indexation & hedging, adjustment in the event of fluctuations in the oil price is automatic. As with contract indexation & hedging, adjustment in the event of fluctuations in the oil price is automatic.
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II. Monetary/ Exchange Rate policy Fixed vs. floating exchange rates Fixed vs. floating exchange rates Nominal anchors as alternatives to the exchange rate Nominal anchors as alternatives to the exchange rate 2 candidates for nominal anchor that are no longer popular 2 candidates for nominal anchor that are no longer popular Inflation targeting Inflation targeting Orthodox implementation: the CPI Orthodox implementation: the CPI Unorthodox versions for commodity producers Unorthodox versions for commodity producers PPT
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Fixed vs. floating exchange rates Each has its advantages. Each has its advantages. The main advantages of a fixed exchange rate: The main advantages of a fixed exchange rate: it reduces the costs of international trade, it reduces the costs of international trade, it is a nominal anchor for monetary policy, it is a nominal anchor for monetary policy, helping the central bank achieve low-inflation credibility. helping the central bank achieve low-inflation credibility. A few commodity producers have firmly fixed: A few commodity producers have firmly fixed: Gulf oil producers & Ecuador. Gulf oil producers & Ecuador. The main advantage of floating, for a mineral producer: The main advantage of floating, for a mineral producer: automatic accommodation to terms of trade shocks. automatic accommodation to terms of trade shocks. During a mineral boom, the currency tends to appreciate, During a mineral boom, the currency tends to appreciate, thus moderating what would otherwise be danger of overheating; thus moderating what would otherwise be danger of overheating; and the reverse during a mineral bust. and the reverse during a mineral bust. A few commodity producers Have been floating fairly freely: A few commodity producers Have been floating fairly freely: Chile & Mexico Chile & Mexico
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Recommendation A balancing of these pros & cons => an intermediate exchange rate regime such as managed floating. A balancing of these pros & cons => an intermediate exchange rate regime such as managed floating. In the decade 2001-11, many followed the intermediate regime: In the decade 2001-11, many followed the intermediate regime: While they officially declared themselves as floating (often under IT), in practice these intermediate countries intervened heavily, taking perhaps ½ the increase in demand for their currency in the form of appreciation but 1/2 in the form of increased foreign exchange reserves. While they officially declared themselves as floating (often under IT), in practice these intermediate countries intervened heavily, taking perhaps ½ the increase in demand for their currency in the form of appreciation but 1/2 in the form of increased foreign exchange reserves. Examples among oil-producers include Kazakhstan & Russia. Examples among oil-producers include Kazakhstan & Russia.
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Particularly at the early stages of a boom, there is a good case for intervention in the foreign exchange market, adding to reserves Particularly at the early stages of a boom, there is a good case for intervention in the foreign exchange market, adding to reserves especially if the alternative is abandoning an established successful exchange rate target. especially if the alternative is abandoning an established successful exchange rate target. Perhaps with sterilization, to resist excessive money growth. Perhaps with sterilization, to resist excessive money growth. In subsequent years, if the increase in world commodity prices looks to be long-lived, there is a stronger case for accommodating it through appreciation of the currency. In subsequent years, if the increase in world commodity prices looks to be long-lived, there is a stronger case for accommodating it through appreciation of the currency. A loose recommendation, continued
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Nominal anchors for monetary policy If the exchange rate is not to be nominal anchor, If the exchange rate is not to be nominal anchor, something else must be… something else must be… especially where institutions lack credibility especially where institutions lack credibility 2 alternatives for nominal anchor 2 alternatives for nominal anchor have had ardent supporters in the past, but are no longer in the running: the price of gold, as 19th century gold standard; the price of gold, as 19th century gold standard; the money supply, the choice of monetarists; and the money supply, the choice of monetarists; and Inflation targeting Inflation targeting Orthodox implementation: the CPI Orthodox implementation: the CPI Unorthodox versions for commodity producers Unorthodox versions for commodity producers PPT
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Professor Jeffrey Frankel Inflation targeting has, for 10 years, been the conventional wisdom for how to conduct monetary policy. among economists, central bankers, IMF… among economists, central bankers, IMF… A narrow definition of Inflation Targeting? 1/ IT is defined as setting yearly CPI targets, to the exclusion of:- asset prices A narrow definition of Inflation Targeting? 1/ IT is defined as setting yearly CPI targets, to the exclusion of:- asset prices - exchange rates - export prices, Some reexamination may be warranted. 1/ A broad definition: Flexible inflation targeting ≡ “Have a long run target for inflation, and be transparent.” Then who could disagree? Some reexamination may be warranted. 1/ A broad definition: Flexible inflation targeting ≡ “Have a long run target for inflation, and be transparent.” Then who could disagree?
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Professor Jeffrey Frankel The shocks of 2007-2010 showed some disadvantages to Inflation Targeting. The shocks of 2007-2010 showed some disadvantages to Inflation Targeting. One disadvantage of IT: no response to asset price bubbles. One disadvantage of IT: no response to asset price bubbles. Another disadvantage : Another disadvantage : It gives the wrong answer in case of trade shocks: It gives the wrong answer in case of trade shocks: In response to a rise in prices of export commodities, it does not allow monetary tightening and appreciation. In response to a rise in prices of export commodities, it does not allow monetary tightening and appreciation. In response to a fall in world prices of exports, it does not allow a depreciation to help equilibrate. In response to a fall in world prices of exports, it does not allow a depreciation to help equilibrate.
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Professor Jeffrey Frankel Proposal for Product Price Targeting Intended for countries with volatile terms of trade, e.g., those specialized in minerals. The authorities peg the currency to a basket that gives heavy weight to prices of its mineral exports, rather than to the $ or € or CPI. The regime combines the best of both worlds: (i)The advantage of automatic accommodation to terms of trade shocks, together with (ii)the advantages of a nominal anchor. PPT
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III. Make National Saving Procyclical Hartwick rule: rents from mineral wealth should be saved, against the day when deposits run out. Hartwick rule: rents from mineral wealth should be saved, against the day when deposits run out. At the same time, traditional macroeconomics says that government budgets should be countercyclical: running surpluses in booms, & spending in recessions. At the same time, traditional macroeconomics says that government budgets should be countercyclical: running surpluses in booms, & spending in recessions. Mineral producers tend to fail both these principles: they save too little on average and more so in booms. Mineral producers tend to fail both these principles: they save too little on average and more so in booms. They need institutions to insure that export earnings are put aside during the boom time, They need institutions to insure that export earnings are put aside during the boom time, into a commodity saving fund, into a commodity saving fund, with rules governing the cyclically adjusted budget surplus. with rules governing the cyclically adjusted budget surplus. Davis et al (2001a,b, 2003). Davis et al (2001a,b, 2003).
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Chile’s fiscal institutions Chile’s fiscal policy is governed by a set of rules. Chile’s fiscal policy is governed by a set of rules. 1 st rule: Each government must set a budget target. 1 st rule: Each government must set a budget target. This may sound like the budget deficit ceilings under Europe’s Stability & Growth Pact, This may sound like the budget deficit ceilings under Europe’s Stability & Growth Pact, but such attempts have failed, because they are too rigid to allow the need for deficits in recessions, counterbalanced by surpluses in good times. but such attempts have failed, because they are too rigid to allow the need for deficits in recessions, counterbalanced by surpluses in good times. The alternative of letting politicians explain away deficits by declaring them the result of unexpected slow growth also does not work, because it imposes no discipline. The alternative of letting politicians explain away deficits by declaring them the result of unexpected slow growth also does not work, because it imposes no discipline. 2nd rule: The government can run a deficit to the extent that: 2nd rule: The government can run a deficit to the extent that: (1) output falls short of potential, in a recession, or (1) output falls short of potential, in a recession, or (2) the price of copper is below its equilibrium. (2) the price of copper is below its equilibrium.
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Chile’s fiscal institutions, continued 3 rd rule: two panels of experts have the job, each year, to judge: what is the output gap and the 10-year equilibrium copper price 3 rd rule: two panels of experts have the job, each year, to judge: what is the output gap and the 10-year equilibrium copper price Thus in the copper boom of 2003-08 when, as usual, the political pressure was to declare the rise in the copper price permanent, thereby justifying spending on a par with export earnings, the panel ruled that most of the price increase was temporary Thus in the copper boom of 2003-08 when, as usual, the political pressure was to declare the rise in the copper price permanent, thereby justifying spending on a par with export earnings, the panel ruled that most of the price increase was temporary so most of the earnings had to be saved. so most of the earnings had to be saved. This turned out right, as the 2008 spike reversed in 2009. This turned out right, as the 2008 spike reversed in 2009. The fiscal surplus reached almost 9 % when copper prices were high. The fiscal surplus reached almost 9 % when copper prices were high. The country saved 12 % of GDP in the SWF. The country saved 12 % of GDP in the SWF. This allowed big fiscal easing in the recession of 2009, when the stimulus was most sorely needed. This allowed big fiscal easing in the recession of 2009, when the stimulus was most sorely needed.
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Commodity funds or Sovereign Wealth Funds Commodity funds or Sovereign Wealth Funds Reducing net inflows during booms Reducing net inflows during booms Lump sum distribution Lump sum distribution Invest in education, health, and roads. Invest in education, health, and roads. Other fiscal institutions
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IV. Efforts to Impose External Checks The Chad experiment The Chad experiment The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: “Publish What You Pay” The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: “Publish What You Pay” More drastic solutions More drastic solutions
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External checks: The Chad experiment In 2000 the World Bank agreed to help Chad, a new oil producer, to finance a new pipeline. Its government is ranked by Transparency International as one of the two most corrupt in the world. The agreement stipulated that Chad would spend 72 % of its oil export earnings on poverty reduction (health, education & road-building) & put aside 10 % in a “future generations fund.”
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External checks: The Chad experiment, continued ExxonMobil was to deposit the oil revenues in an escrow account at Citibank; the government was to spend them subject to oversight by an independent committee. But once the money started rolling in, the government reneged on the agreement.
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External checks, continued Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, launched in 2002, includes the principle “Publish What You Pay,” Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, launched in 2002, includes the principle “Publish What You Pay,” International oil companies commit to make known how much they pay governments for oil, International oil companies commit to make known how much they pay governments for oil, so that the public at least has a way of knowing, when large sums disappear. so that the public at least has a way of knowing, when large sums disappear. Legal mechanisms adopted by São Tomé & Principe void contracts if information relating to oil revenues is not made public. Legal mechanisms adopted by São Tomé & Principe void contracts if information relating to oil revenues is not made public.
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Further proposals would give extra powers to a global clearing house or foreign bank where the Natural Resource Fund is located, e.g. freezing accounts in the event of a coup. [1] Further proposals would give extra powers to a global clearing house or foreign bank where the Natural Resource Fund is located, e.g. freezing accounts in the event of a coup. [1] [1] Well-intentioned politicians may spend commodity wealth quickly out of fear that their successors will misspend whatever is left. Well-intentioned politicians may spend commodity wealth quickly out of fear that their successors will misspend whatever is left. If so, adopt an external mechanism that constrains spending both in the present in the future. If so, adopt an external mechanism that constrains spending both in the present in the future. [1][1] Humphreys & Sandhu (2007, p. 224-27). [1] When Kuwait was occupied by Iraq, access to Kuwaiti bank accounts in London stayed with the Kuwaitis. External checks, continued
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Devices to share risks 1. In contracts with foreign companies, partially index the price to the world mineral price. 2. Hedge mineral revenues in options markets 3. Denominate debt in terms of mineral prices Summary: 10 recommendations for oil producing countries
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4. Allow some currency appreciation in response to a rise in world commodity prices, but after adding to foreign exchange reserves. 5. If the monetary regime is to be Inflation Targeting, consider using as the target, in place of the CPI, a price measure that puts more weight on the export commodity (e.g., PPT). 6. Emulate Chile: to avoid over-spending in boom times, allow deviations from a target surplus only in response to permanent oil price increases, as judged by independent expert panels. Summary: 10 recommendations for oil producers, continued Macroeconomic policy
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7. Run Commodity Funds transparently and professionally. 8. Invest in education, health, and roads. 9. Publish What You Pay. Consider lump-sum distribution of mineral wealth, equal per capita. 10. Mandate an external agent, for example a financial institution that houses the Commodity Fund, to provide transparency and to freeze accounts in the event of a coup. Summary: 10 recommendations for oil producing countries, continued Anti-corruption institutions
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Addendum: Attempts to reduce price volatility Attempts to reduce price volatility Elaboration on exchange rate regimes for oil exporters Elaboration on exchange rate regimes for oil exporters including the PEP & PPT proposals including the PEP & PPT proposals
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Appendix I: Dealing with Volatility A number of institutions have been implemented in the name of reducing volatility. A number of institutions have been implemented in the name of reducing volatility. Most have failed to do so, and many have had detrimental effects. Most have failed to do so, and many have had detrimental effects. Marketing boards Marketing boards Taxation of commodity production Taxation of commodity production Producer subsidies Producer subsidies Other government stockpiles Other government stockpiles Price controls for consumers Price controls for consumers OPEC and other international cartels OPEC and other international cartels
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Professor Jeffrey Frankel Implications of External Shocks for Choice of Exchange Rate Regime Old wisdom regarding the source of shocks: Old wisdom regarding the source of shocks: Fixed rates work best if shocks are mostly internal demand shocks (especially monetary); Fixed rates work best if shocks are mostly internal demand shocks (especially monetary); floating rates work best if shocks tend to be real shocks (especially external terms of trade). floating rates work best if shocks tend to be real shocks (especially external terms of trade). Oil producers face big trade shocks => accommodate by floating. Oil producers face big trade shocks => accommodate by floating. Edwards & L.Yeyati (2003)
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Professor Jeffrey Frankel 6 proposed nominal targets and the Achilles heel of each:
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Professor Jeffrey Frankel A more moderate version: Product Price Targeting Target an index of domestic production prices. [1] [1] The important point is to include oil in the index and exclude import commodities, whereas the CPI does it the other way around. [1][1] Frankel (2009). PPT
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