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FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS October 3, 1998RR-2740 1) We, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the G-7
countries, met today to review recent developments in the world economy and financial markets.
President Willem Duisenberg of the new European Central Bank participated for the first time in
part of the discussions. We were also joined for parts of the meeting by the Managing Director
of the International Monetary Fund, Michel Camdessus, and by World Bank President James
Wolfensohn. Developments in the World Economy 2) We discussed developments and prospects in our own economies and in the rest of the
world. Financial market conditions have deteriorated in many parts of the world, leading to a
further weakening of growth prospects especially in most emerging market countries, and also
more generally. In this context, we reaffirmed our view that the balance of risks on a global basis
has shifted. We agreed that in today's integrated world economy and financial markets,
developments in our economies, while being affected importantly by economic and financial
developments elsewhere, have a significant impact on the rest of the world. More broadly, we
reaffirmed the key importance going forward of each country in the global economy doing its
part to promote recovery and financial stability. We must continue our efforts to strengthen the
open world trading system, with free trade flows and open capital markets. G-7 Economies 3) Inflation in G-7 countries as a whole is low and in some countries has declined further
in recent months. Although growth so far has been sustained in our countries taken as a whole,
the weakening in Asia and some other markets poses increasing downside risks to economic
activity. We reemphasized our commitment to create or sustain conditions for strong domestic-demand led growth and financial stability in each of our economies.
In this context, we noted the importance of intensified cooperation among us at this juncture. We
also agreed that the challenges that face each of our economies differ.
European Economic and Monetary Union 4) We discussed the ongoing smooth transition to Economic and Monetary Union in
Europe on January 1, 1999 and looked forward to a successful EMU which contributes to
growth, and to stability in the international monetary system. Exchange rates 5) We discussed developments in our exchange and financial markets reaffirming the
views we expressed in our April statement. We will continue to monitor developments in
exchange markets and to cooperate as appropriate. Russia 6) We met with representatives of the Russian Federation to discuss recent developments
in Russia's economy and the difficult challenge the government faces in achieving financial re-stabilization. We agreed on the importance of monetary restraint and fiscal adjustment, noting
the serious risk of inflation and further exchange rate weakening if revenue collections are
inadequate and government expenditures are financed through central bank money creation. We
emphasized the importance for Russia of undertaking comprehensive financial sector
restructuring which would close or merge insolvent banks, write down problem assets, and
greatly enhance supervision. We also agreed that Russia must accelerate its program of
structural reform to promote efficiency and growth in the real economy. We encouraged Russia
to develop sound approaches and to pursue a constructive dialogue with the IMF on the urgent
task of stabilization. We also stressed the great importance for Russia to pursue a cooperative
dialogue with private creditors Emerging Market Economies 7) Policies countries pursue are a crucial determinant of their economic performance. We
welcomed the impressive efforts by a number of emerging market economies to strengthen their
domestic policies in light of the financial market pressures that have spread over the past year.
We reaffirmed the support expressed in our September 14 statement for exploring ways to
reinforce the existing economic programs of economies facing financial crises with accelerated
efforts to promote comprehensive programs for corporate and financial sector restructuring and
measures to alleviate the effects of the crises on the poorest segments of society, including if
necessary through the provision of augmented financial assistance centered in the multilateral
development banks. 8) We reaffirmed our concern about the extent of the general withdrawal of funds from
emerging markets that had occurred without respect to the diversity of prospects facing those
economies or to the significant progress that has been made in many economies in carrying out
strong macroeconomic policies and structural reforms that enhance long-term growth
prospects. 9) More broadly, we reiterated our support for the central role of the IMF in enhancing
crisis prevention, including encouraging reforms through its surveillance process, as well as
providing catalytic financial assistance as needed in support of appropriate policies and to
combat contagion. We emphasized that the private sector also has a key role to play in crisis
resolution. 10) In this context, we urged the early implementation of the IMF quota increase and the
New Arrangements to Borrow. We drew attention to the possibility, if circumstances so warrant,
of activating the General Arrangements to Borrow, in consultation with other participants in the
arrangements. We agreed to explore a strengthened capacity, based in the IMF and with the
general increase of IMF quotas and establishment of the New Arrangements to Borrow, to
provide more effectively contingent finance to help countries pursuing sound policies to maintain
stability in the face of difficult global financial conditions. 11) We stressed the critical role of the World Bank in crisis prevention through support for strong
institutions, good governance and structural reforms, particularly in the financial, corporate and
social sectors. We also underlined our support for an active role for the World Bank and other
MDBs responding to the crisis. We would support the following steps:
Debt 12) We also discussed the problems of the poorest countries. We endorse the need to
sustain the momentum of the HIPC initiative. We shall also encourage the IMF and the World
Bank to move forward quickly on further proposals which recognize the special needs of poor
post-conflict countries, especially those with arrears to the IFIs. Strengthening the International Financial System 13) Looking ahead, we agreed on the importance of adapting the IMF to ongoing changes in
the world economy. This includes a focus on increasing its transparency, the design of
appropriate reform programs, and effective use of IMF resources. We expect further progress in
these areas in the near future. 14) We agreed on the need to build upon the work done to date and extend the reach of
international discussions to ensure that the system is equipped to meet the challenges posed by
the increasingly integrated global economy and financial markets. We committed to work
together within the G-7, and with other industrial and key emerging market economies and with
the international financial institutions, to develop approaches to strengthen the system in the
following key areas:
15) The G-7 welcomed the reports of the working groups of the G-7 and key emerging
market economies, and we agreed to work together to implement recommendations in the key
areas of transparency, strengthening financial systems and managing crisis with an appropriate
private-sector role, as a matter of urgency. We look forward to a productive discussion of these
and other issues in the Interim and Development Committees and other meetings, including the
meeting with finance ministers and central bank governors from key emerging markets. We also
called on our deputies to consult in a systematic way to complete a more detailed work plan,
based on the agenda above, and report to us at a meeting of G-7 Finance Ministers and Central
Bank Governors as soon as the work is completed. We have asked Mr. Tietmeyer, a member of
our group who is also the Chairman of the G-10 Central Bank Governors, to consult with other
appropriate bodies and to consider with them the arrangements for cooperation and coordination
between the various international financial regulatory and supervisory bodies and the
international financial institutions interested in such matters, and to put to us expeditiously
recommendations for any new structures and arrangements that may be required.
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