Bankers'  Conference 1999

 
This was the first conference hosted by the Bank of Namibia. The theme of the conference was Banking and Economic Development in Namibia as we enter the millennium. This conference dealt with the challenges awaiting the banking sector (both the Commercial banks and Central banks) as the we enter the new millenium which brings along with deeper integration of capital markets. The papers that were discussed in this conference was published in The South African Journal of Economics, March 2000, however a brief account of these papers is given underneath. ESSA Volume 68

Beyond Capital Ideals: Restoring Bank Stability: by Gerard Caprio, Jr. and Patrick Honohan.  This paper discusses what causes of financial crises with specific reference to emerging markets and the options to improve the incentive environment in financial systems as well as the role of stronger regulation in this regard.

Banks and Less Formal Forms of Finance: The Challenges of Micro- Finance in Namibia, by Charles C. Okeahalam.  This paper uses data and information on Namibia to discuss the nature and availability of micro finance and problems of providing low income and rural credit financial services.

International Capital Market crises and Financial Policy Responses, by Charles C. Okeahalam. This paper uses the principle of information asymmetry to discuss the causes of capital market crises and suggest some central bank strategies for containing the adverse impacts of such events.

The challenges faced by banks in promoting payments system efficiency in the new millennium, by Wellwood G. Masson.  This paper identifies some of the challenges that banks in the SADC region will have to face in the process of promoting Payment System efficiency in the new millenium. As globalisation will further erase economic and geographical boundaries, the greatest challenge for banks is the capacity to cope and manage the changes that will occur in Payment System and to respond effectively to the requirements of their customers and the markets. The paper concludes that all parties who are concerned with Payments Systems as effective vehicles to promote and sustain financial system stability and monetary stability, are also challenged to engage in co operative effort of making Payment Systems more efficient in the new millenium.

Financial Markets Development in Namibia: The way forward, by Brynjulv Vollan, This analyzes the most important impediments to the development of the Financial Markets in Namibia, with emphasis on the present exchange rate arrangement which allows free capital flows among CMA countries. The paper further identify some important principles on which to base the development strategy for financial markets. A number of practical steps are suggested for gradually building up those segments of the financial markets in Namibia that can be useful for development of the economy. The roles of most important stakeholders, the Government, Commercial banks and the Central Bank are also explored.

The Namibian Dollar at home and abroad, by D.J.J. Botha.  This paper focuses on three aspects of the Namibian economy: the broad structural aspects, elements of the domestic monetary policy and the role of the Namibian dollar in the Common Monetary Area.  It discusses some of the problems facing the authorities in regard to the management of the Namibian currency  both domestically and internationally. The paper gives attention to the complex question of a currency depreciation which has been suggested by some as a possible solution to the monetary problems of the country.