Benedicte Ms Christensen: 3 books

This paper was prepared by Benedicte Vibe Christensen in the European Department of the International Monetary Fund under the direction of Gyorgy Szapary. It describes developments in international financial transactions conducted through the Swiss banking system until December 1985.

In recent years, an increasing number of developing countries have adopted market-determined floating exchange rates. This development has represented a significant step forward in the evolution toward exchange rate flexibility that has taken place in the developing country group since the adoption of generalized floating by industrial countries in 1973.

This paper examines the effects of three "shocks" - the disintegration of the U.S.S.R., domestic economic reform, and changing relations with other countries- on Russia's balance of payments position. The importance of consistent economic reform and a liberal trade regime is stressed, together with the role of financial assistance.