BEIJING: China’s central bank has signed an agreement with the State Bank of Pakistan to establish RMB clearing arrangements in Pakistan.
According to a statement on the People’s Bank of China website, these arrangements will assist enterprises and financial institutions in both countries in conducting cross-border transactions using the RMB. They will also facilitate bilateral trade and investment, according to the bank.
At present, the emerging markets demonstrated a low elasticity of demand for US dollars. The currencies of developing countries will inevitably depreciate as a result of a possible negative spillover effect caused by a surge in USD interest rates and a monetary tightening cycle, China Economic Net (CEN) reported.
The pact will assist enterprises and financial institutions in both countries
According to a report titled “2022 RMB internationalization report” by the Bank of China, about 78.8 percent of the surveyed global industrial and commercial firms are thinking about adopting RMB or growing its [RMB] share in cross-border transactions. According to SWIFT data, in 2021, RMB made up 2.7 percent of all currency payments made by nations, recording an increase of 1 percent over the previous five years.
RMB declined less than other major currencies other than US dollar
Since the global COVID-19 pandemic, the RMB declined the less than other major currencies other than the US dollar. The Japanese yen has decreased 48 percent from its peak since the pandemic, while the euro has decreased by 22 percent, following a 27 percent decrease in threducedd, and the Korean won has decreased by 33 percent. The Yuan declined by 16 percent.
As inflation and energy crises in Europe and the United States have eroded market confidence, and China’s economy is the same size as the EU’s, the RMB may become a future safe haven for investors.
Since 2006, annual trade between Pakistan and China has averaged 17.61 billion US dollars (Source CEIC database). According to the joint statement released after the Pakistani prime minister’s visit to China, the two are expected to enhance trade liberalization under the second phase of CPFTA and fully leverage overland trade and exchanges.
Balance trade fluctuations
Direct settlement and clearing in RMB between China and Pakistan can balance the possible trade fluctuations caused by changes in US dollars. Moreover, RMB clearing can be a fast track for China and Pakistan to deepen industrial cooperation in financing and purchasing. The trade volume of Belt and Road countries has reached 11.6 trillion yuan in 2021. If RMB clearing and settlement procedures are encouraged, trade efficiency in countries along the Belt and Road will improve, as will more extensive financial cooperation. – APP
