By Birone Lynch and Simon Whitaker of the Bank's Structural Economic Analysis Division.
This article explains proposals for a new sterling trade-weighted effective exchange rate index. The existing index is based on trade patterns in manufactured goods in 1989-91. The proposed new index would reflect more recent trade patterns, incorporate services trade and a broader set of countries, including those in Asia. We are inviting comments on the proposed method with a view to publishing the new index on a regular basis from Spring 2005.
The new sterling ERI