Template on International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity - Methodological Notes
The 'Data template on International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity' provides an overview of the Maltese international reserves (reserve assets) and other foreign currency assets which comply with the requirements of the "International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity - Guidelines for a Data Template", (IMF 2013).
Malta's Official Reserves refer to those external assets that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities (Central Bank of Malta) and the central government for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). This definition is in line with the guidelines of the IMF's 6th edition Balance of Payments Manual (BPM6).
From 2008, official reserve assets correspond to the Eurosystem definition of reserves which excludes holdings denominated in euro and/or vis-à-vis euro area residents.
The template comprises four tables and takes into account both the balance sheet information on international reserves and other selected assets and liabilities of the authorities and also off-balance sheet activities.
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Section 1 describes the stock position of (a) official reserve assets (b) other foreign currency assets. (Part 1b includes holdings other than those denominated in euro and held by euro area residents.) |
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Section 2 is a schedule of pre-determined short-term net drains on foreign currency assets. |
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Section 3 is a schedule of contingent short-term net drains on foreign currency assets. |
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Section 4 of the template provides supplementary information not included in Sections 1-3 and is known as Memorandum Items. |