Impact of Eurozone Financial Shocks on an Increasingly Integrated and Globally Connected ASEAN

1. Impact of Eurozone Financial Shocks on an Increasingly Integrated and Globally Connected ASEAN Jayant Menon Lead Economist (Trade and Regional Cooperation)Office of Regional Economic IntegrationAsian Development Bank Boustead Annual Globalisation Lecture 2014 University of Nottingham- Kuala Lumpur, 19th February, 2014 The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank, or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent.

2. Presentation Outline Introduction- more regionally integrated and globally connected; benefits but also risks Direct Impacts of Eurozone shock Indirect Impacts Is the region ready for another crisis?

3. Progress of Integration – Asia (intraregional as % of total)

4. ASEAN – defining characteristics • ASEAN - the most durable regional association in the developing world. • Four defining characteristics: • Diversity – greater than any other major regional grouping. History, language, politics, and economics (50:1 GDP/cap), population, resource endowments. • Generally rapid economic development. But ASEAN membership no guarantee (Myanmar)

5. ASEAN – defining characteristics c) Avoidance of strong supra-national organization; deliberately under-powered secretariat; the ‘ASEAN Way’ – strengths & weaknesses. d) Unlikely to ever be an EU-style organization; or a customs union with common macroeconomic policies. - No political appetite, nor economic basis

6. ASEAN – defining characteristics ASEAN today is more regionally integrated and globally connected than it has ever been. Regional integration has been increasing- trade, FDI, equity and bond holding, and highest output correlation Less than East Asia, but more than other Asian subregions.

7. Progress in Regional Integration, 2008–2011

8. Intra-ASEAN Holdings of Debt Securities

9. ASEAN – defining characteristics As an open, outward-looking region, ASEAN today is more globally connected than it has ever been. The level of interdependence is driven not so much by increasing regional integration, but a common dependence on external markets. Trade-investment nexus and ‘Factory Asia’

10. ASEAN – defining characteristics A rare example of rising regional integration while at the same time increasing globally connexion These features deliver significant benefits, but they also carry risks. Increased vulnerability to external shocks, as well as contagion that spreads rapidly across the region

11. Merchandise Export Growth(y-o-y, %, 3-month moving average)

12. Current Account of ASEAN4, 2011- 2013 (quarterly, as a share of GDP)

13. Growth in Bank Lending (y-o-y, %)

14. Response of ASEAN Equity Returns to a Negative Eurozone Equity Shock

15. Response of Output Growth to a Eurozone Equity Shock

16. Direct Impacts Eurozone financial crisis would have a small but non-negligible impact on the region’s stock markets and economic growth. In terms of real impact, Singapore and Malaysia are more exposed What we cannot quantify are the indirect effects that may flow from adjustments that take place via changes in value assessments and confidence.

17. Indirect Impacts Since the region’s asset prices—both real and financial—have seen significant increases resulting from the large inflows of capital driven by quantitative easing in the advanced economies, underlying perception among global investors of asset bubble. If the direct impact of a Eurozone shock leads to a re-assessment of asset valuations in the region and perceptions of risk, this could lead to further corrections

18. Indirect Impacts Eurozone crisis is one possible trigger; any shock, including tapering, could be an instigator Early signs of possible impacts of increased tapering were witnessed in India and Indonesia in particular last year Even right now, the volatility of foreign exchange rates and equity markets are clear signs of increased vulnerability that could easily spillover into a crisis

19. What if crisis strikes? Although ASEAN is more resilient cf. AFC, should crisis strike, is the region ready? Not quite- regional financial safety net still inadequate Size of CMIM is still too small at $240 bil; less than 3% of about $5 trillion in reserves of ASEAN+3 Even smaller if increased regional integration results in contagion and multiple applications. Stigma attached to IMF conditionality for majority (more than 30%) of quota

20. Now, is it usable? Although recent reform measures constitute major progress, but questions on “how” and “who” remain On “how”, two options: complement to, or substitute for, IMF On “who”, not +3, since they are providers not users. Have their own bilateral swaps For original ASEAN, size of quotas too small as substitute, but maybe complement. Maybe new ASEAN more likely, as significant share of their reserves. Eg, Cambodia: non-IMF quota of $360M; reserves in Feb 2012 of $3.6B. But in crisis, may still look beyond the CMIM.

21. Now, is it usable? Regardless of whether complement or substitute to IMF, the speed and efficiency of requests need to be addressed. Uncertainty over procedures, since never tested. Decisions lie with a high-level, non-resident body. The CMIM is not a fund, but a reserve pooling system. Needs to be demonstrated that CMIM is superior to quick-disbursing bilateral swaps, which appears to be quickly becoming the first line of defense after national reserves.

22. Now, is it usable? As an alternative to the IMF, then 3 reforms: a) Further increase in the size of the CMIM: $240B almost certainly inadequate. Eg, the original ASEAN 4 countries have a non-IMF quota of about $7B each, but during the AFC the Thai and Indonesian packages were about $17B and $40B, respectively. So either the size or the non-IMF limit need to be increased. b) Expanding CMIM Membership: Has more to do with diversifying the source of funds than simply expanding its size of the fund. To include countries less directly connected to the East Asian business cycle.

23. Now, is it usable? c) Strengthening AMRO’s Credibility: This is crucial for CMIM; perhaps more important than size or diversity of membership, ie, capacity to lead – or be a key partner in – a credible rescue package is the key. Eg., with AFC, IMF lead, but funds also came from regional and bilateral sources So, CMIM still appears unusable if crisis strikes tomorrow, but progress being made- and hopefully before, rather than because of, the next crisis!

24. Thank you! For inquiry or comments, please contact:Jayant Menon Lead Economist (Trade and Regional Cooperation)Office of Regional Economic IntegrationTelephone: (63-2) 632-6205 Email: jmenon@adb.org Twitter: @jayantmenon Menon and Ng (2013), containing detailed results, downloadable from: http://aric.adb.org/pdf/workingpaper/WP116_Menon_Ng_Eurozone_shocks.pdf