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An Appraisal of Debt Relief for Poor Countries

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  • Robbie Mochrie

Abstract

The Highly Indebted Poor Countries' (HIPC) Initiative provides debt relief to a group of highly indebted poor countries. The capacity of the multilateral financial institutions (MFIs) to manage this programme is analysed and the conclusion is drawn that it is unlikely to achieve the purposes for which it has been established. Criticism is based upon the MFIs' own policy advice as well as that of public campaigners, and also other economists' appraisals of MFI performance. The conclusion is drawn that there are a number of reasons for wishing to restrict the role of the MFIs in this process and that there should be movement towards a simplified framework for debt cancellation with a greater role for private institutions and market-oriented payments disciplines.

Suggested Citation

  • Robbie Mochrie, 2000. "An Appraisal of Debt Relief for Poor Countries," CERT Discussion Papers 0005, Centre for Economic Reform and Transformation, Heriot Watt University.
    • Handle: RePEc:hwe:certdp:0005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Robbie Mochrie, 2003. "Economic and Theological Approaches to Debt Cancellation," WIDER Working Paper Series DP2003-16, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F34 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Lending and Debt Problems
    • P27 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Performance and Prospects

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