IMF Research
External Balance Assessment (EBA): Technical Background of the Pilot Methodology
Last Updated: December 03, 2012
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Summary
The IMF's Research Department is developing the External Balance Assessment (EBA) methodology as a successor to the CGER methodology for assessing current accounts and exchange rates. The new methodology brings a greater focus on the role of policies and policy distortions, as well as on global capital market and cyclical influences. A pilot version of EBA was implemented recently; the Pilot External Sector Report draws in part on the results of that exercise, and includes a general overview of EBA in its Appendix I. This technical background note provides a more extended description of the pilot EBA methodology and is being made available to solicit comments and suggestions for the future development and refinement of EBA.