Exchange Rate Misalignment: An Application of the Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) to Botswana

Author/Editor:

Atsushi Iimi

Publication Date:

June 1, 2006

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

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:

Botswana's successive currency devaluations and recent move from a fixed to a crawling peg exchange rate regime raise the question of whether the exchange rate might be misaligned with economic fundamentals. This paper, applying the behavioral equilibrium exchange rate (BEER) approach, analyzes the behavior of the real exchange rate for the period 1985-2004. It finds that the pula was undervalued in the later 1980s but overvalued in recent years. Some policy lessons from experiences in other countries with crawling peg arrangements are therefore considered in the context of Botswana.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2006/140

Subject:

Currencies Exchange rate arrangements Exchange rates Real effective exchange rates Real exchange rates

English

Publication Date:

June 1, 2006

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451864007/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2006140

Pages:

31

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