The Identification of Capital Transfers in the Balance of Payments

Author/Editor:

Jack Bame

Publication Date:

September 1, 1995

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

The separate identification of current and capital transfers was introduced for the first time in the fifth edition of the Fund’s Balance of Payments Manual (Manual), thus harmonizing with the treatment of transfers in the 1993 System of National Accounts (1993 SNA). Capital transfers are now recorded in the capital account component of the balance of payments and include debt forgiveness, migrants’ transfers, and other transfers, of which investment grants is a significant category. This paper presents the criteria for defining capital transfers and provides sources and methods of compilation, and examples of treatment, as illustrated in the Fund’s Balance of Payments Compilation Guide and Balance of Payments Textbook.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1995/093

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

September 1, 1995

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451951226/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0931995

Pages:

20

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org