The Balance of Payments Accounts
摘要
This chapter of the book deals with the balance of payments (BOPs) account. It defines the BOPs and discusses the uses of the BOPs. It also covers the net exports (NX), current accounts, primary income, and secondary income (or net unilateral investment) position. It explains how indispensable the BOPs accounts data is for banks, businesses, and households. We have explained how the BOPs data furnishes the government with information to formulate fiscal, monetary, and trade policies to run the country. We have covered the BOPs account from the perspective of the IMF and the US; high-lighted the significance of their differences. We have covered the current account, capital account, and financial account. We have also discussed the components of the financial accounts, such as portfolio investments; and direct investments, such as Brownfield investments and Greenfield investments, and derivatives, not to mention other investments and reserves and related assets. We have explained concepts such as: net international investments position (NIIP), fundamental BOPs identity, accommodating transactions, autonomous transactions, official reserve transactions, financial inflows and outflows, residents of a country, and double-entry bookkeeping account principle. Finally, we have worked through examples and provided assignments for readers to practice and buttress their understanding.