Currency substitution in the economies of Central Asia: How much does it cost?

Underdeveloped financial markets and periods of high inflation have stimulated dollarization and currency substitution in the economies of Central Asia. Some authors argue that the latter can pose serious obstacles for the effective conduct of monetary policy and can affect households' welfare. This study uses a model with money-in-the-utility function to estimate the elasticity of substitution between domestic and foreign currencies in three economies of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. Utility derived from holding money balances is represented by a CES function with money holdings denominated in two currencies. The residents are assumed to diversify their monetary holdings due to instability of the domestic currency. The steady state analysis reveals that though currency substitution decreases governments' seigniorage revenue, holding foreign money can be welfare generating if domestic currency depreciates vis-à-vis the currencies in which households' foreign balances holdings are denominated. De-dollarization can only be achieved through further macroeconomic stabilization that will bring price and exchange rate stability. Financial sector development will also decrease currency substitution through the provision of reliable financial instruments and the gaining of public confidence.currency substitution, dollarization, monetary policy, seigniorage, welfare, transition economies

Monetary Policy, Inflation and Dollarization in the Economies of Central Asia

Dissertation Monetary Policy, Inflation and Dollarization in the Economies of Central Asia Asel Isakova Abstract The present dissertation consists of three studies on the issues of inflation, monetary policy effects and dollarization in three economies in Central Asia - Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. These economies have undergone a deep transformation from central planning to market economies. The profound economic transformation which took place after these countries became independent, combined with liberalization of prices and trade, resulted in hyperinflation, general economic instability, and large fiscal and external imbalances. Central banks in the region had managed to combine the policies and tools to take control of inflation in the late 1990s. This was the period when positive economic growth was observed in the region. A negative shock for these countries was caused by the Russian crisis in 1998, though the consequences of this financial turmoil were softened by the measures of the regional central banks concerning the flexibility of the exchange rates. Since 2000, these economies have been characterized by single-digit inflation rates, except Tajikistan, and high positive economic growth. The monetary policy framework has evolved over the transition period. Macroeconomic...The present dissertation consists of three studies on the issues of inflation, monetary policy effects and dollarization in three economies in Central Asia-Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. These economies have undergone a deep transformation from central planning to market economies. The profound economic transformation which took place after these countries became independent, combined with liberalization of prices and trade, resulted in hyperinflation, general economic instability, and large fiscal and external imbalances. Central banks in the region had managed to combine the policies and tools to take control of inflation in the late 1990s. This was the period when positive economic growth was observed in the region. A negative shock for these countries was caused by the Russian crisis in 1998, though the consequences of this financial turmoil were softened by the measures of the regional central banks concerning the flexibility of the exchange rates. Since 2000, these economies have been characterized by single-digit inflation rates, except Tajikistan, and high positive economic growth. The monetary policy framework has evolved over the transition period. Macroeconomic stabilization has brought important developments in the financial systems of the countries while at the same time a need...CERGEFaculty of Social SciencesFakulta sociálních vě

Monetary Policy, Inflation and Dollarization in the Economies of Central Asia

The present dissertation consists of three studies on the issues of inflation, monetary policy effects and dollarization in three economies in Central Asia-Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. These economies have undergone a deep transformation from central planning to market economies. The profound economic transformation which took place after these countries became independent, combined with liberalization of prices and trade, resulted in hyperinflation, general economic instability, and large fiscal and external imbalances. Central banks in the region had managed to combine the policies and tools to take control of inflation in the late 1990s. This was the period when positive economic growth was observed in the region. A negative shock for these countries was caused by the Russian crisis in 1998, though the consequences of this financial turmoil were softened by the measures of the regional central banks concerning the flexibility of the exchange rates. Since 2000, these economies have been characterized by single-digit inflation rates, except Tajikistan, and high positive economic growth. The monetary policy framework has evolved over the transition period. Macroeconomic stabilization has brought important developments in the financial systems of the countries while at the same time a need..

How much do tariffs matter? Evidence from the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia

This paper provides an empirical analysis of the early impact of the formation of the customs union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia and associated changes in import schedules on the structure of imports of the three member countries. Trade creation effects appear to have been insignificant, except in trade between Russia and third countries where Russian tariffs decreased. At the same time the change in tariffs appears to have created some trade diversion, with a significantly negative impact on imports from China to Kazakhstan in particular and a significantly positive impact on imports from within the customs union to Kazakhstan. The magnitude of this effect is relatively small, however. The results suggest that the benefits of the new tariff policy per se to member countries are limited at best. Larger benefits could come from a gradual removal of non-tariff barriers