World leaders eye faster economic reforms

September 6, 2015 8:34 AM

The wording defied pressure from emerging markets to brand an expected U.S. rate rise as a risk to growth.

Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (6th L), finance ministers and central bank governors gather for a group photo of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Ankara, Turkey, September 5, 2015. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20 leading economies met in Turkey on Friday and Saturday, with slower growth in China and rising market volatility boosting the risks to the global economy. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Financial leaders from the world's 20 biggest economies agreed on Saturday to step up reform efforts to boost disappointingly slow growth, saying reliance on ultra-low interest rates would not be enough to accelerate economic expansion.

But they also said they were confident growth would pick up and, as a result, interest rates in "some advanced economies" -- code for the United States -- would have to rise.

"Monetary policies will continue to support economic activity consistent with central banks' mandates, but monetary policy alone cannot lead to balanced growth," the communique of the G20 finance ministers and central bankers said.

"We note that in line with the improving economic outlook, monetary policy tightening is more likely in some advanced economies."

"We heard different opinions on the possible Fed decision. Some think the Fed needs to make a decision sooner rather than later, while others think it should delay," Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Cevdet Yilmaz told a news conference.

To limit the volatility of capital flows from emerging economies into dollars -- the reason for concern about a future Federal Reserve hike -- G20 financial leaders said they would avoid any surprise or excessive moves.

"We will carefully calibrate and clearly communicate our actions, especially against the backdrop of major monetary and other policy decisions, to minimise negative spillovers, mitigate uncertainty and promote transparency," they said.

Concern about the turbulence that might be caused by a possible Fed rate hike was amplified by investor worries over an economic slowdown in China, the world's second-biggest economy.

G20 officials said they discussed the devaluation by China of its yuan currency in August, a move some may see as a realignment to market rates rather than a move to help exports.

"Many supported the measures that China took... the ministers were very tolerant," Russian deputy finance minister, Sergei Storchak told a news briefing.

The Chinese devaluation as well as the stock market plunge on growth jitters were all part of a difficult path to a more liberal economy, officials said.

"It's an unbelievably difficult transformation and it's not surprising that there are bumps, that it's not a perfectly smooth process, and I think we had plenty of explanations, opportunity to ask questions, and it was a dialogue, and a very open one," IMF head Christine Lagarde said after the meeting.

But some were less impressed.

"Their explanations weren't very good. They should have been much clearer," said Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso about the Chinese.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew noted that global economies were keen to see the world's second-largest economy move to an exchange rate that reflected market fundamentals.

"When the world has called on China to move toward a more market-determined exchange rate, it's in the context of doing so in an orderly way with clearly articulated policies that can be understood and that reinforce themselves in a positive way," he said in a statement.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!