Reforming Government Debt Markets in MENA
This paper examines the current stage of development of government securities markets in the non-GCC MENA region focusing in five countries that have government bond markets with a minimum size and greater potential for market development: Egypt, J...
Main Authors: | , |
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Format: | Policy Research Working Paper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2012
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20110324104519 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3377 |
Summary: | This paper examines the current stage of
development of government securities markets in the non-GCC
MENA region focusing in five countries that have government
bond markets with a minimum size and greater potential for
market development: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and
Tunisia. The analysis focuses on the five key building
blocks that normally sustain deep and liquid public debt
markets: (i) money markets; (ii) primary market (issuance
policy and placement mechanisms); (iii) secondary market
organization; (iv) investor base; and (v) clearing and
settlement infrastructure. The study shows that despite
country differences, several common weaknesses in the key
building blocks explain the underdevelopment of MENA bond
markets. Most important among these are a symbiotic
relationship between banks and Governments caused by lack of
alternative investments that makes banks act as captive
demand and dominate bond markets, opportunistic primary
issuance practices, and excess liquidity in the financial
system. These demand and supply characteristics have led to
highly concentrated buy-and-hold portfolios by banks and
State-owned institutions, poor price discovery and lack of
liquidity in secondary markets. A set of actions to unlock
market development in MENA is proposed involving measures in
all key building blocks - from improvements in monetary
policy implementation and liquidity management to
enhancements in issuance practices, price transparency, and
clearing & settlement infrastructure. Measures to
improve the role of mutual funds and foster foreign investor
presence are also of utmost importance to increase
competition and investor diversification in these markets. |
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