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The need for official reserves in Latin America: Assessing the precautionary motive, 1995-2011

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  • Moritz Cruz

Abstract

In this paper we estimate the demand for official reserves in Latin America during the period 1995-2011. We assume that the main concern of the monetary authorities to demand reserves is the fear of suffering external drains, and its associated output costs. In other words, we attempt to show that the so-called precautionary motive drives the demand for international reserves in the region. Our econometric results confirm that Latin American countries demand ever increasing amounts of foreign exchange to protect themselves against the likelihood of external drains. ***** En este artículo estimamos la demanda de reservas internacionales en América Latina para el período 1995-2011. Asumimos que la mayor preocupación de las autoridades monetarias para demandar reservas es el miedo a las salidas de capital y a sus costos asociados en cuanto al producto. En otras palabras, intentamos demostrar que el motivo precautorio explica la demanda de reservas en la región. Nuestros resultados econométricos confirman que la región demanda crecientes cantidades de divisas para protegerse contra la posibilidad de salidas de capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Moritz Cruz, 2015. "The need for official reserves in Latin America: Assessing the precautionary motive, 1995-2011," Revista Cuadernos de Economia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, FCE, CID, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000093:012722
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International reserves; precautionary motive; financial variables; LatinAmerica; financial openness.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F3 - International Economics - - International Finance
    • F32 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Current Account Adjustment; Short-term Capital Movements
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics

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