The external current account in South Africa has strengthened significantly in 1999, mainly owing to a large decline in imports. Compared with a deficit of about 1.5 percent of GDP in recent years, it is close to balance during the first three quarters of 1999. A resumption of investor...

How does the South African government react to changes in its debt position? In investigating the question, this paper estimates fiscal reaction functions using various methods (OLS, VAR, TAR, GMM, State-Space modelling and VECM). The paper finds that since 1946 the South African government has...

This paper describes the main elements of inflation targeting, reviews its pros and cons, and examines the experiences thus far in countries using this framework. It discusses the implications and relative merits of such a framework for South Africa, and concludes that it would be feasible and...

Over the past decade, South Africa has attracted relatively little foreign direct investment (FDI), but considerable amounts of portfolio inflows. In this context, the objective of the paper is twofold: to identify the determinants of the level and composition of capital flows to emerging...

This Technical Note discusses stress testing (ST) results for the financial system of South Africa. The bank STs suggest that banks have adequate capital to withstand severe shocks, but need larger liquidity capacity to meet regulatory requirements. Even in the severe scenario in which GDP falls...

This Technical Note discusses recommendations made during the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) for South Africa in the areas of contingency planning, crisis management, and bank resolution. The proposed scope of the new resolution regime and of the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB)...

This Technical Note analyzes over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives market reforms in South Africa and identifies vulnerabilities that may potentially impact financial stability. South Africa is committed to reform its OTC derivatives market to reduce vulnerabilities and increase transparency....

This Technical Note discusses findings and recommendations made in the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) for South Africa in the areas of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). The AML/CFT supervisory framework for the financial sector, in particular...

This Selected Economic Issues paper examines economic development in South Africa during 1995–96. The paper highlights that in 1995, the economy of South Africa grew by 3.3 percent, the third consecutive year of economic growth, and it is expected to grow between 31⁄2 and 4 percent in 1996....

This paper examines the role of the derivatives market in South Africa and provides policy options for promoting the development of derivatives markets in sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa''s derivatives market has grown rapidly in recent years, supporting capital inflows and helping market...