In the financial landscape, changes are constantly occurring and evolving. This brings attention to the Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) released in October 2018 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This vital report offers a detailed assessment of the sustainability of global markets and the financing of emerging-markets.
Global Financial Stability Report: An Overview
The IMF releases the GFSR biannually, in April and October. The principal aim of this report is to provide analyses on key risks to global financial stability. It also reviews the global regulatory reform agenda over the past ten years, assessing whether the global financial ecosystem has evolved as expected since the 2008 financial crisis.
According to the GFSR 2018, recent economic conditions have tightened due to factors such as a stronger dollar, increased credit spreads, weaker equity prices, and elevated domestic interest rates. These circumstantial changes could potentially lead to a decrease in inflows from emerging markets.
The Impact of Reduced Inflows
The decline in market inflows could pose immense challenges to those countries heavily dependent on external financing. Countries like India could face difficulty in financing their escalating current account deficit. Similarly, sovereign and corporate borrowers dependent on external financing could also be negatively impacted.
The GFSR 2018 commends the international community’s broad regulatory agenda for strengthening the global banking system. However, it warns that regulators and supervisors must remain vigilant against new emergent risks threatening financial stability. These include potential threats from cybersecurity issues, financial technology developments, and activities or institutions outside the boundary of prudential regulation.
Black Leopard Spotted in Tadoba Andheri Forest Reserve
In wildlife news, a black leopard has recently been spotted in the Tadoba Reserve, located in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district, India. This black leopard is the melanistic color variant of the Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), a subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent. This species is considered ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List.
About Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, where the black leopard was spotted, stands as Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park. It forms part of India’s 50 “Project Tiger” reserves. Established in 1994-95 as the second Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, it represents Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Teak Forests in tiger habitats, maintaining a viable tiger population of more than 40.
India – Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)
On the international front, Indian naval ships and aircraft are partaking in the 32nd edition of the India – Indonesia coordinated patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT). Both countries are undertaking patrolling on their respective sides of the 236 nautical miles long International Maritime Boundary Line. The primary focus of this patrol is to showcase India’s peaceful presence in the maritime domain, reinforce their interoperability, and strengthen the enduring friendship between these nations.
