The foreign exchange market, or Forex, is a vital component of the global financial system which enables individuals, companies, and governments to exchange one currency for another, facilitating international trade and investment. However, the is not immune to the crisis, and fluctuations in currency values can have significant economic consequences.
However, one of the key tools that central banks have is to manage their currencies in interest rates. By raising or lowering interest rates, they can influence the supply and demand for their currency and affect its value relative to other currencies. In this work, we have discussed in detail how boosting interest rates could potentially curb the current forex crisis.
Meaning of interest rates
Interest rates refer to the cost of borrowing or the return on lending money. It is the percentage at which lenders charge borrowers for the use of their money, usually expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR). Interest rates play a crucial role in the economy as they affect the cost of credit, savings, investments, and overall economic activity.
Will boosting the interest rates potentially curb the current forex crisis?
To answer this question, we need to understand the root causes of the forex crisis and the potential impact of interest rates.
The Forex crisis could be vividly illustrated by the recent depreciation of the Iranian Rial, which has lost more than 50% of its value against the US dollar in the past year. This has led to a surge in inflation, as the cost of imported goods and services has increased, and a rise in capital flight as investors seek to protect their wealth by transferring it to other currencies and countries using some of the .
One of the primary reasons for the depreciation of the Rial is the shortage of foreign currency reserves held by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI). This has been caused by a combination of factors, including declining oil exports, economic sanctions, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some analysts argue that raising interest rates could help to alleviate the Forex crisis by attracting foreign investors and boosting the supply of foreign currency. When interest rates are higher, investors are more likely to invest in a country’s currency, as they can earn a higher return on their investment. This, in turn, can increase the supply of foreign currency, which can help to stabilize the currency’s value.
However, there are several potential drawbacks to raising interest rates. Firstly, higher interest rates can lead to a slowdown in economic growth as borrowing becomes more expensive for businesses and consumers. This can lead to a decrease in demand for goods and services, which can further exacerbate inflation.
Secondly, raising interest rates may not be enough to address the root causes of the Forex crisis. While it may attract foreign investors in the short term, it may not address the underlying issues that have caused the shortage of foreign currency reserves. For example, economic sanctions may continue to limit Iran’s access to international markets, and declining oil exports may persist.
Finally, raising interest rates can lead to a rise in debt levels for both the government and private sector. As borrowing becomes more expensive, debt servicing costs can increase, which can further strain the economy.
In all, while raising interest rates may be one tool to help curb the Forex crisis, it is unlikely to be a panacea. must address the root causes of the crisis, including the shortage of foreign currency reserves, declining oil exports, and economic sanctions. Additionally, any measures to raise interest rates should be carefully balanced against the potential impact on economic growth and debt levels.