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Objectives of the survey

Main Findings from a Global Survey of Central Banks Jacqueline Irving, Dilip Ratha, and Sanket Mohapatra Development Prospects Group World Bank Washington DC June 12, 2009. Objectives of the survey.

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Objectives of the survey

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  1. Main Findings from a Global Survey of Central BanksJacqueline Irving, Dilip Ratha, and Sanket MohapatraDevelopment Prospects GroupWorld BankWashington DCJune 12, 2009

  2. Objectives of the survey Part of a larger cross-country data and information gathering exercise by the World Bank’s Migration & Remittances Team A main aim of the central banks survey is to gain a better understanding of: • the regulatory environment for remittance flows; • how central banks collect data and other information on migrant remittance flows.

  3. Survey questions – some main themes • Which institutions collect data? • What are the methods? • What RSPs are covered? • How are these changing? • How are RSPs regulated? • What factors affect the choice of remittance channel? • How does regulation affect costs?

  4. Current status of survey • Two main versions focusing on inward and outward flows • Sent to 176 countries worldwide (52 in Africa) • 105 countries have submitted survey responses: • Of which 32 countries are in Africa • Final findings analysis paper is a key input to the larger Africa Migration flagship and is undergoing review/clearance for publication as a World Bank PRWP

  5. Main findings: Focus on data collection

  6. There appears to be a lack of coordination in data collection • Within the same institution • Across national institutions • Between counterpart national institutions, including for major remittance corridors

  7. Inflows are better monitored than outflows • Almost all (96%) remittance-receiving countries collect data, vs. 84% in remittance-sending countries • Data collection going on longer for inflows

  8. There can be large discrepancies in reporting official data* *Migrant remittance flows data for 2007.

  9. Under-recording of remittances • Lower priority given to recording remittance outflows by many migrant host countries—particularly where remittances are small relative to GDP • Use of cross-border data reporting thresholds • Many central banks until recently relied on data reported solely by commercial banks; more nonbank RSPs are beginning to report data • Remittances hand carried by migrants and others visiting migrants’ home countries • In-kind remittances

  10. Informal remittances • 42% of the remittance-receiving countries said they estimate informal remittance flows • But a considerably fewer number of remittance-receiving countries (17%) provided actual informal flows data estimates • Only 4% of the remittance-sending countries (Germany and Russia) indicated that they estimate informal remittance flows

  11. Methods of estimating informal flows

  12. Better statistics and studies are cited as areas needing attention

  13. Better statistics and studies are even more important for Sub-Saharan African countries

  14. Policy recommendations: Data collection • Improve coordination in this area, with more systematic data and information exchange, better communication, and more effective division of labor to avoid duplication of efforts. • Better coordination in data collection must occur both across different institutions and between different divisions within the same institution. • For major remittance corridors, developing some means of regular, more systematic data and information sharing and exchange on migrant remittance flows between counterpart national institutions.

  15. Policy recommendations: Data collection • Improve procedures for remittances data collection and monitoring, including by compiling and monitoring cross-border remittance flows data at higher frequencies and disaggregated by source country where possible. • For many remittance-receiving countries, revise data compilation methods to better distinguish remittance inflows from other capital inflows and by remittance category. • As new RSP entrants emerge, it becomes increasingly important for countries to give priority to determining an effective means of taking into account these new channels and technologies in data collection and monitoring.

  16. Next steps for this study • Dissemination of survey final findings paper to 176 central banks (imminent)—ahead of publication as Working Paper • Final findings will provide input into the Migration, Remittances & Development Project flagship report

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