We are equally confident that other existing multilateral and bilateral exchange mechanisms are appropriate venues for discussing policies and attempting to resolve disputes. In our view, formalizing the Dialogue - for example, by elevating it to the principals level or expanding its mandate to include policy-setting or dispute resolution functions - would be unnecessary and may impair the Dialogue’s utility.
However, corporate profits have been declining, and employment and household income conditions continue to deteriorate. Although conditions in corporate finance are improving, firms apparently cannot remove their concern about the availability of funds in the future. Consequently, corporate and household sentiment remains cautious.