WB: THE DOLLAR WILL REMAIN THE WORLD’S DOMINANT RESERVE CURRENCY
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2009 16:01 GMT+04:00
The dollar will remain the world’s dominant reserve currency and a
strong U.S. currency is critical to pull the world out of crisis,
World Bank President Robert Zoellick said.
"A dollar-based system and a strong dollar … will be critical to pull
us out of this hole. Over time, however, you will see discussions over
the role of the dollar," Zoellick said in an interview with Reuters.
Questions around the dollar’s status as the globe’s main unit have
arisen in recent weeks after China suggested the wider use of Special
Drawing Rights (SDR) created by the International Monetary Fund as
an international reserve asset.
But Zoellick said it would take more than a Group of 20 summit
to establish a new reserve currency, which requires functioning
financial markets.
"I think the dollar will remain the principle reserve currency. The
question will be whether you have complementary measures," Zoellick
said.
"To create a reserve currency you need to have more than a summit
or a meeting, you have to create financial markets where people feel
comfortable moving in and out of the currency," he added.
Still, Zoellick said expanding the use of the IMF’s SDR system is an
issue worth considering in a broad sense.
"It is appropriate to discuss the monetary system but one also has
to be sensible and not throw out the baby with the bath water,"
Zoellick said.
The World Bank chief also said the world economy faces a "dangerous
year" in terms of downside risks.
"Everyone needs to approach this crisis with a healthy dose of
humility because we’ve seen surprises, we still face high uncertainty,"
Zoellick added.