Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Economics

Chapter

Macro Economics: Open Economy Macro Economics

Question:

Which of the following transactions are made due to some reason other than to bridge the gap in the balance of payments?

Options:

Autonomous transactions

Accommodating transactions

Error and omission transactions

Grant related transactions

Correct Answer:

Autonomous transactions

Explanation:

International economic transactions are called autonomous when transactions are made due to some reason other than to bridge the gap in the balance of payments, that is, when they are independent of the state of BoP. One reason could be to earn profit. These items are called ‘above the line’ items in the BoP. The balance of payments is said to be in surplus (deficit) if autonomous receipts are greater (less) than autonomous payments.

Accommodating transactions (termed ‘below the line’ items), on the other hand, are determined by the gap in the balance of payments, that is, whether there is a deficit or surplus in the balance of payments. In other words, they are determined by the net consequences of the autonomous transactions. Since the official reserve transactions are made to bridge the gap in the BoP, they are seen as the accommodating item in the BoP (all others being autonomous).