Debt Relief Initiatives: Policy Design and Outcomes

by Marco Arnone, Andrea F. Presbitero

Overview

This book deals with the recent debt crises in developing countries and analyzes the design and implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, by providing background concepts, pointing out the main drawbacks and suggesting a different approach to debt sustainability and debt relief programs. The authors merge academic, operational and institutional expertise, in order to provide an evaluation as complete and balanced as possible on the much-debated effectiveness of debt relief in fostering economic growth, reducing poverty and reaching debt sustainability. Marco Arnone and Andrea F. Presbitero assess the joint evolution of external and domestic public debt and produce original empirical evidence on the potential effects of public debt on investment, economic growth and institution-building in low- and middle-income countries. The book also explores relevant and up-to-date policy issues, such as the loans-grants mix and the development of responsible lending strategies in foreign assistance, the surge of non-concessional and domestic borrowing by low-income countries, and the impact of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis on debt sustainability.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780754677420
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/29/2010
Series:	Global Finance
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Marco Arnone, Centre for Macroeconomics and Finance Research (CeMaFiR) and Catholic University of Milan, Italy and Andrea F. Presbitero, Centre for Macroeconomics and Finance Research (CeMaFiR), Money and Finance Research group (MoFiR), and Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1: Multilateral Initiatives and External Debt Sustainability; 1: The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiatives; 2: External Debt Sustainability; 2: HIPCs/LICs and Macroeconomic Management; 3: Domestic Debt in Developing Countries; 4: The Relevance of Domestic Debt in HIPCs; 5: Domestic Debt and Debt Sustainability; 3: External Debt and Macroeconomic Performance; 6: External Debt and Growth; 7: External Debt and Growth; 8: An Ex-Post Evaluation of Debt Relief 1; 4: The Challenges Ahead; 9: The Global Economic and Financial Crisis and the HIPCs 1; 10: Some Proposals for a Comprehensive Approach to Debt Sustainability and Debt Relief; 101: Afterword

Editorial Reviews

'...a major contribution to our understanding of debt relief initiatives. It gives a fascinating and detailed account of approaches to debt sustainability and the consequences of debt. The book is thus essential reading for everyone interested in the macroeconomic consequences of debt and debt relief. It is relevant to academics, practitioners, and policymakers alike.' Axel Dreher, University of Goettingen, Germany 'Debt relief has become an emotional subject, which is why it is all the more important to undertake a rigorous and dispassionate analysis of its costs and benefits. This book provides that rigour, with a thorough examination of debt relief's main dimensions, including the tensions and trade-offs.' Tony Addison, Chief Economist, UNU-WIDER, Finland

From the Publisher