Argentina announces lifting of currency controls Fig. 1 Argentina's foreign exchange reserves (monthly) [Figure 1.0] Source: CEIC Argentina's new government has removed foreign currency controls, allowing its citizens to buy US dollars freely for the first time in four years. These currency controls have been in place as part of a fixed exchange rate system. The move, which officials hope will boost the faltering economy, is the strongest President Macri has yet made in his bid to reduce the government interference that marked the country's economy under the previous presidencies. Removing foreign currency controls was the latest in a series of moves President Macri has made since he took office. His administration has also eliminated most farm export taxes and cut personal income taxes. The decision carries significant short term risks but equally big long term rewards if it leads to greater investment and lifts the country's failing export sector. In the short term, the move is likely to cause the biggest currency depreciation since Argentina's economic meltdown in 2002. Economists expect the Argentinian currency, the peso, to fall from its current official exchange rate of US$1 = 9.8 peso to something closer to the rate used in the black (illegal) market, about US$1 = 14.5 peso. This would be a fall of a third of its value. Lifting foreign currency controls came on the same day the US central bank raised its interest rate for the first time since 2006, making it relatively harder for other countries, including Argentina, to attract funds. A weaker peso will add to the country's already high inflation rate of 25%. To try to control price rises and attract funds, Argentina's central bank raised its interest rate to 38%. Amid rampant inflation and a lack of faith in the peso, Argentinian consumers and firms sought security in holding US dollars. Combined with rising demand from Argentina's government – which needed US dollars to make debt payments and pay for energy imports – this resulted in a shortage of US dollars in Argentina. To address this problem, former President Kirchner largely banned the sale of US dollars in 2011 but this led to the creation of a currency black market. The ban failed to contain inflation, which was among the world's highest throughout President Kirchner's term of office. Firms, meanwhile, struggled to obtain US dollars to buy parts and equipment, stifling growth and sometimes causing critical shortages at places like hospitals, which depend on imported supplies and equipment. Source: Wall Street Journal, 16 December 2015