Jamaica Debt Exchange
23 Pages Posted: 26 Jun 2014
Date Written: October 2012
Abstract
The sovereign debt restructuring operation in Jamaica undertaken in early-2010 was a unique experiment that perhaps offered less by way of upside, if compared to the conventional sovereign debt exchanges, but provided credible assurances against further downfall and financial sector distress. A case study of a highly indebted country with domestically held debt, the paper discusses the conditions leading to the exchange, the rationale behind it, as well as its operational aspects. Achievements of the exchange, too, are discussed in detail. The paper also outlines the risks stemming from the high levels of debt - which continue to remain high - requiring prompt and coordinated action by policymakers if the legacy of the debt exchange is to be preserved.
Keywords: Sovereign debt, Jamaica, Debt restructuring, Debt management, Jamaica sovereign debt exchange, debt sustainability, financial stability, bonds, financial sector, financial institutions, financial system, liquid asset, interest rate risk, old bonds, government bonds, liquidity support, debt stock, international reserves, domestic bond, bond holders, financial market, stock of debt, bond prices, eurobond, present value, eligible bonds, rate bonds, denominated bonds, domestic financial system, eurobonds, sovereign debt restructuring, bond market, domestic bond market, variable rate bonds, domestic financial institutions, domestic debt, net present value, financial instability, domestic bonds, i
JEL Classification: H63, G23, H12
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation