The Financial Stability Board (FSB) Regional Consultative Group (RCG) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) met in Istanbul. Members of the FSB RCG MENA received an update on the FSB’s work programme and deliverables to the June G20 meetings next month in Japan. The FSB’s work programme in 2019 is focused on new and emerging vulnerabilities, including potential financial stability issues arising from market fragmentation and FinTech, and how they may be addressed; finalising and operationalising post-crisis reforms; evaluating the effects of the reforms on, for example, financing to small and medium-sized enterprises;correspondent banking; and reinforcing outreach to stakeholders.
Turning to vulnerabilities and regional financial stability issues, meeting participants discussed risks associated with a loosening of credit standards and political uncertainties. At the same time, they noted that resilience in the financial system appears to have increased, financial markets are functioning robustly and near-term conditions in emerging markets have stabilised. From a regional perspective, members discussed the potential impact of trade issues and changes in commodities prices.
Market fragmentation
Members next considered market fragmentation and its impact on financial stability, including inefficiencies, deviations in prices and pools of liquidity and capital that are unable to move freely in times of stress. The group discussed causes of market fragmentation, such as cross-country differences in information requirements and ring fencing by national authorities, and possible approaches to address it, including considering fragmentation more systematically as part of implementation monitoring and greater supervisory cooperation.
Reforms
The group discussed reforms to major interest rate benchmarks. Attempted market manipulation, false reporting and declining liquidity in the earlier part of this decade had led to a decline in confidence surrounding their reliability and robustness. Members exchanged experiences on the use of LIBOR in their financial systems and whether financial institutions will be ready for its discontinuation in 2021.
The group discussed financial stability surveillance frameworks to identify, assess and address new and emerging risks to financial stability. They exchanged views on the elements of such frameworks and their need to be forward looking and proactive, while at the same time being sufficiently flexible to capture new and emerging risks. Frameworks used by authorities in Qatar and Morocco served as useful examples.
RCGs strengthened
Finally, members discussed ways in which the FSB’s outreach through its RCGs could be strengthened. This would include, for example, promoting continued seniority of representation within the RCGs and encouraging non-FSB members to make contributions and give feedback on the direction of the FSB’s work.
The RCG for the MENA is co-chaired by Murat Çetinkaya, Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, and Abdulla Saoud Al-Thani, Governor of the Qatar Central Bank. Membership includes financial and regulatory authorities from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Source: http://www.fsb.org
