APEC Efforts to Increasing Returns on Savings Investments Through Improving Linkages to Capital Markets - Workshop Today
Economies around the Asia-Pacific will benefit from an APEC Savings Policy Workshop taking place today in Viet Nam. Participants will examine how well-designed savings policy can exploit the linkages between savings and capital markets. This will in turn encourage strong and stable financial systems which will benefit all economies in the region.
The workshop is helping government officials develop best practice principles for savings policy by sharing experiences of previous reform efforts and by adopting international best practices.
The workshop is one of a series of events being held in the lead-up to the 13th APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting in Ha Noi, on September 7-8.
Dr. Brian McCulloch, the Chair of the workshop, said the event, which is co-hosted by New Zealand, Chile and Viet Nam, will assist people with investments as their economies undergo capital market reforms.
"This workshop will help governments to enhance linkages between savings and capital markets, particularly as economies adjust to future challenges such as demographic change or population ageing," Dr. McCulloch said.
"Improving the linkages between savings and capital markets ensures that savings resources are better utilized and in the end will increase returns to investors.
"Ultimately robust savings policies protect the living standards of ageing populations, stimulate economic growth and boost financial market development and stability."
The workshop will include presentations and discussion from leading policy experts including:
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Dr. Brian McCulloch, Director in the New Zealand Treasury Strategy Unit
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Dr Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel, Chief of Economic Research, Central Bank of Chile
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Dr Alberto Roque Musalem, formerly of the World Bank Financial Sector Development Department
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Mr Takayuki Urade, of the Nomura Institute of Capital Markets Research in Tokyo
This is the first workshop in a multi-year program aimed at improving the capacity of Member Economies to improve savings and capital market development.
The APEC Finance Ministers Process brings together government officials, business and private sector financial experts to strengthen the economic infrastructure of the APEC Region. This process culminates each year with the annual meeting of Finance and Central Bank Deputies, followed by a meeting of Finance Ministers. This year Finance and Central Bank Deputies will meet in Ha Noi on September 5-6, and Finance Ministers will meet on September 7-8.