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JAMB UTME - Economics - 1998

Question 1 Report

If a country operates a freely floating exchange rate system, and suffers a balance of payments deficit can be eliminated through?
Answer Details
If a country operates a freely floating exchange rate system and suffers a balance of payments deficit, it can be eliminated through a fall in the external value of its currency. A balance of payments deficit occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports, leading to a decrease in its foreign exchange reserves. In a freely floating exchange rate system, the value of a country's currency is determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange market. If a country is facing a balance of payments deficit, the demand for its currency in the foreign exchange market is low, which leads to a fall in the external value of its currency. A fall in the external value of a currency makes the country's exports relatively cheaper for foreign buyers, which can increase demand for its exports and reduce the trade deficit. Furthermore, a fall in the external value of a country's currency can also make its imports more expensive, which can reduce the volume of imports and further help to correct the balance of payments deficit. Therefore, a fall in the external value of a country's currency can help to eliminate a balance of payments deficit in a freely floating exchange rate system.