Despite a situation of increasing  BIS Review 168/2009  1  investment rates, the ratio of total savings to GDP reached 57% in 2008 against 48% in 2004, leading to a context of excess saving rates of 13% to 24,7% over the period. These developments have allowed sizeable reserve accumulation, particularly from 2004 $ billion 43) to 2008 $ billion 143) as a cushion against possible external shocks, including shocks of a “sudden stop” nature. Anchored to regained macroeconomic stability, a large public investment program was launched in 2001 (2001–04) followed by a larger one in 2005 (2005–09). Implementation of the two public investment programs significantly stimulated gross fixed capital formation, with public investments representing 56.5% of total investment in 2008 up from 40.8% in 2004. Over the past five years, public investments (economic and social infrastructure, housing, agriculture and water, others) amounted to $ billion 80 (representing 51% of a total of $ billion 156). It should be noted that foreign companies, particularly from Asia, hold a significant position in terms of implementation of the public investment programs. In parallel, the national oil company (Sonatrach) implemented ambitious annual investment plans over the past 3 years, increasing the annual investment envelope from $ billion 4.8 in 2006 to $ billion 8.5 in 2008. For the past 5 years, the ratio of Sonatrach’s investment to total investment reached 17.6% (17.1% in 2008). For 2009, Sonatrach’s investment program amounts to $ billion 16.5.
Jean-Pierre Roth: As the financial crisis recedes, what are the lessons for central bank efforts in the future? Summary of a speech by Mr Jean-Pierre Roth, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, at the Centre International d’Etudes Monétaires et Bancaires, Geneva, 24 November 2009. The complete speech can be found in French on the Swiss National Bank’s website (www.snb.ch). *  *  *  The financial crisis of the last two years has caused people to re-examine a number of generally accepted ideas. Corrective measures are being undertaken, particularly in the area of banking regulation. For central banks, the most delicate issue will be how to contribute to macrofinancial stability without jeopardising their objective of price stability and, in turn, compromising their own credibility. As regards banking supervision, close cooperation between central banks and banking supervisory authorities is essential. The temptation to concentrate forces is strong. In Switzerland, placing centralised oversight responsibility with the Swiss National Bank would risk weakening the SNB’s independence from the political sphere. With respect to systemically important financial institutions, everything possible must be done to limit the likelihood and the risks of further problems. Major efforts are underway in this regard at the Financial Stability Board. To ensure that central banks have the necessary means to act in a crisis, a liberal legal framework and a safety cushion in the form of equity are needed. The SNB is in a favourable position in this respect. BIS Review 152/2009  1