Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director on th global economy: “Like others, I am always struck by Hong Kong SAR’s unique flavor. Think of the incredible ingenuity and energy of its people. And think of their ability not just to adapt to change, but to actively shape their future. Hong Kong’s transformation – from manufacturing powerhouse, to global trade engine, to world-class financial center – reflects its unique commitment to openness, to combining home-grown talent with fresh ideas and expertise from across the world. Of course, greater economic openness increases one’s sensitivity to shifting trends. Hong Kongers are keenly aware that economic history never moves in a straight line but in cycles. And they know that when the economy is moving – up or down – policymakers cannot afford to stand still. This is also the story of our global economy.”
The world is currently experiencing a strong upswing that holds the promise of higher incomes and living standards. Delivering on this promise is critical, not just here in Asia but around the world. I have been calling on all governments to use the current growth momentum for much-needed policy actions and reforms, especially in labor markets and service sectors. In other words, fix the roof while the sun is still shining. These reforms are often politically difficult, but they are more effective and easier to implement when economies are moving up, not down.
Some governments have taken action, but more needs to be done. The window of opportunity is open. Yet there is new urgency because uncertainties have significantly increased – from trade tensions, to rising financial and fiscal risks, to more uncertain geopolitics. How can we sustain the current upswing in the face of these rising risks? And how can we foster long-term growth that benefits all? These are the issues that Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will discuss next week at the IMF and World Bank’s Spring Meetings. And they are the issues that I would like to talk about today.
State of the Global Economy
The good news is that the economic picture is mostly bright – the sun is still shining. We see global momentum – driven by stronger investment, a rebound in trade, and favorable financial conditions – which is encouraging companies and households to increase their spending. That is why the IMF in January projected 3.9 percent global growth for 2018 and 2019, and as you will see from our forecast next week, we continue to be optimistic. Advanced economies are expected to grow above their medium-term potential this year and next. In Europe, for example, the upswing is now more widely spread across the region.
The United States is already at full employment, and growth will likely accelerate further due to expansionary fiscal policy. Meanwhile, here in Asia the outlook remains bright – which is good for everyone, because this region contributes close to two-thirds of global growth. Japan’s economy continues to grow strongly, and Asian emerging markets – led by China and India – are driven by rising exports and higher domestic consumption. Challenges remain in some other emerging and developing countries – including in sub-Saharan Africa – though commodity exporters are experiencing a modest upswing. So yes, the current global picture is bright.
But we can see darker clouds looming. The reality is that the momentum expected for 2018 and 2019 will eventually slow. It will slow because of fading fiscal stimulus, including in the U.S. and China; and because of rising interest rates and tighter financial conditions as major central banks normalize monetary policy. Add to this the issue of aging populations and weak productivity, and you have a challenging medium-term outlook, especially in the advanced world. What can policymakers do? I see three priorities that can make a difference.
THREE PRIORITIES FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
1. Steer Clear of Protectionism
First, governments need to steer clear of protectionism in all its forms. History shows that import restrictions hurt everyone, especially poorer consumers. Not only do they lead to more expensive products and more limited choices, but they also prevent trade from playing its essential role in boosting productivity and spreading new technologies. As a result, even protected industries eventually suffer as they become less dynamic than their foreign competitors. And yet, discussions about trade restrictions are often bound up with the concept of trade deficits and surpluses. Some people argue that these imbalances indicate unfair trade practices. Yes, there are unfair practices – which must be eliminated – and which can leave their mark on trade balances between two countries. But in general, these bilateral imbalances are a snapshot of the division of labor across economies, including global value chains.
(…)
2. Guard against Fiscal and Financial Risk
We also need to guard against fiscal and financial risks. This is my second priority. Here, numbers tell the story. New IMF analysis shows that, after a decade of easy financial conditions, global debt – both public and private – has reached an all-time high of $164 trillion. Compared to its 2007 level, this debt is now 40 percent higher, with China alone accounting for just over 40 percent of that increase. A major driver of this buildup is the private sector, which makes up two thirds of the total debt level. But that is not the whole story. Public debt in advanced economies is at levels not seen since the Second World War. And if recent trends continue, many low-income countries will face unsustainable debt burdens. High debt in low-income countries could jeopardize development goals as governments spend more on debt service and less on infrastructure, health, and education. The bottom line is that high debt burdens have left governments, companies, and households more vulnerable to a sudden tightening of financial conditions. This potential shift could prompt market corrections, debt sustainability concerns, and capital flow reversals in emerging markets. So, we must use the current window of opportunity to prepare for the challenges ahead. This is about creating more room to act when the next downturn inevitably comes – or as the economists like to say, it is about “building policy buffers.”
(…)
3. Foster Long-term Growth that Benefits Everyone
Fostering stronger and more inclusive growth is a key challenge. If, as projected, advanced economies return to disappointing medium-term growth, this would worsen economic inequality, debt concerns, and political polarization. At the same time, more than 40 emerging and developing countries are projected to grow more slowly in per capita terms than advanced economies. This means slower improvements in living standards and a widening income gap between those countries and the advanced world. As I said earlier, the window of opportunity is open. But to boost productivity and potential growth, countries need to step up economic reforms and policy actions. Let me touch on two potential game-changers:
(i) First, unlock the potential of the service sector, especially in developing economies. In moving from an agriculture-based to a service-based economy, many of these countries are bypassing a traditional industrialization phase. This raises concerns that countries could get stuck at lower-productivity levels, with little chance of catching up to advanced economy incomes. Our latest research shows, however, that some service sectors – led by transportation, communications, and business services – can match the productivity levels of manufacturing. This is critical for countries such as the Philippines, Colombia, and Ghana where employment and output are shifting from agricultural production to higher-value services. It is also important for the economic wellbeing of millions of women, who often account for the majority of service industry workers. Unlocking this potential is not an easy task. It requires more public investment in education, training, and job-search assistance. It also means opening service sectors to more competition. At the global level, there is work to be done as well. We need to increase trade in services, including e-commerce, by reducing barriers in this area – which are still extremely high.
(ii) The second potential game-changer is the digital transformation of government. When it comes to cutting-edge technologies and systems, public sectors can lead the way – and we are seeing great examples here in Asia: In India, citizens receive subsidies and welfare payments directly into their bank accounts, which are linked to unique biometric identifiers. In Australia, tax authorities collect information on wages in real time, which gives them immediate insight into the state of the economy.
And here in Hong Kong, bank customers will soon be able to use their mobile phone numbers and email addresses to transfer money or make retail purchases, thanks to a new, government-funded payment system.
These initiatives are just the beginning. Governments across the world are now also looking at ways of generating efficiency gains. For example, one recent study estimates that almost 20 percent of public revenues worldwide, or about $5 trillion, go missing each year, because of tax noncompliance and misdirected government payments. By using new tools – such as big data analysis – governments can reduce these leakages, which are often directly related to corruption and tax evasion. Reducing leakages would enable countries to increase priority spending. The bottom line is that digital government can deliver public services more efficiently and more effectively, and help improve people’s lives. Think about it: more households in developing countries now have access to digital technology – such as the internet and smartphones – than have access to clean water and secondary education. What huge potential for digital interaction! But also, what a reminder that we need to leverage technology effectively to make broader development progress.
Conclusion
Let me conclude. This generation of policymakers is facing a stark choice: They can simply copy the policies of the past, which have delivered mixed results – raising living standards substantially, but leaving too many behind. Or they can paint a new economic landscape – where open trade is fairer and more collaborative; where financial systems are safer and more supportive of economic growth; and where the digital revolution benefits not just the fortunate few but all people. As the great artist Henri Matisse once said: “Creativity takes courage.” We certainly need more courage – in the halls of government, in company conference rooms, and in our hearts and minds.
You can read th full verson on the website of the IMF.
Source: http://www.imf.org/
