Corporate debt in emerging economies

The foreign currency debt obligations of the corporate sector in emerging market economies are a matter of rising concern, particularly given the recent strength of the U.S. dollar and the prospects of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve. With many emerging markets facing growth slowdowns and capital flow volatility, this factor adds to the macroeconomic risks facing the global economy.

On November 2, Global Economy and Development at Brookings and the Center for International Governance Innovation hosted a discussion launching a new report on corporate debt in emerging economies. The report has been prepared by the Committee on International Economic Policy and Reform— a group of independent economic experts that includes academics as well as former government and central bank officials. This year’s report explores the role of corporate debt in emerging economies through a series of case studies—India, Turkey, and Latin America—and outlines possible new sources of risks to financial stability, especially in situations in which corporates acting as financial speculators and/or domestic banks fail to fully understand the underlying domestic and international exposures of the corporate sector.

The panel included several members from the Committee on International Economic Policy and Reform as well as other leading experts.