1 – Introduction
The training programme on “Reserve Assets Measurement” was organized by the IMF Institute in cooperation with the Regional Multidisciplinary Center of Excellence (RMCE) and the Government of Mauritius. The training programme was held in Mauritius, during the period 2 – 6 December 2013 at Le Meridien Hotel Pointe Aux Piments.
2 – Structure and Objectives of course
The course provided an overview of the concepts and definitions pertaining to reserve assets in BPM6, and discussed in depth the reporting of data on the Reserves Data Template. (A Reserves Data Template must be disseminated monthly by subscribers to the IMF’s Special Data Dissemination Standard.) In regard to the Reserves Data Template, the course outlined its structure and key features, clarified concepts, definitions, and classifications, and discussed dissemination of data along with country notes. The course discussed complex statistical issues, including the reporting of lending to the IMF, foreign exchange swap agreements between central banks, pooled assets, the identification of reserves by members of currency unions, and other topics related to international reserves. The course included sessions during which analytical and practical aspects of the Reserves Data Template were presented and discussed by the participants among themselves (with IMF staff monitoring and contributing to the discussions), in order to share countries’ experiences and questions.
This one-week course was designed for officials from agencies responsible for compiling data on international reserves and other external positions of the monetary authorities.The course explained the international statistical standards for compiling data on international reserves, as set forth in the sixth edition of the IMF’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6)and the recently updated Data Template on International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity: Guidelines for a Data Template (Guidelines).
3 – Resource persons
1. Ms. Florina Tanase, Deputy Division Chief, Statistics Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF)
2. Ms. Tamara Razin, Balance of Payments Division, Statistics Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF)