Improving the quality of government borrowing and minimising exposure to risk

Governments who borrow to manage their economies and fund investment must have strong institutions, processes and controls to manage their ensuing debts. Poorly managed borrowing can quickly destabilise an economy.

We help finance ministries, central banks and sub-national governments to manage their borrowing, taking into account cost and risk considerations. Our programme of assistance helps governments put in place suitable structures and processes to manage their debt portfolio effectively. We build the capacity of debt managers by giving them the practical tools, knowledge and skills required to achieve their debt goals.
Our assistance includes:

• Improving institutional, organisational and legal frameworks, including the establishment of specialised debt management offices
• Technical advisory services including debt portfolio review, debt sustainability analysis, risk analysis, restructuring and negotiation
• Enhancing data quality, recording, reporting and analysis particularly through the Commonwealth Secretariat's Debt Recording and Management System
• Integrating debt and cash management within a public financial management framework
• Training and capacity building in all aspects of debt management. Visit our training pages to find out more about the specialist training courses

Our team of advisers and consultants are highly experienced in providing consultancy in debt management and related areas to Governments worldwide. They are regularly called upon by the international community to contribute to dialogue on best practice in debt management.

Read Enhancing Debt Management for further details of our services.

Download the latest edition of our Managing Debt newsletter to find out about the latest developments in public debt management.

Good debt management allows countries to minimise risks within their debt portfolios, and achieve lower debt servicing payments and long-term debt sustainability. It also contributes to wider financial reforms through its impact on cash management, budgeting and accounting.

Emerging and transition economies are facing the challenges of globalisation and liberalisation. By enabling their governments to use best practice in debt and risk management, we help them develop the debt structures that minimises the effects of any future financial crisis.  

In low income countries, debt is often unsustainable and impedes economic growth. Here we develop the capacity to analyse and restructure the debt portfolio, helping countries with their debt relief negotiations. In so doing we enable resources to be released to fund development and achieve the Millennium Development Goals

In small economies, we develop capacity in sustainable debt management, taking particular account of the special vulnerabilities these countries face.

We do this through:

• strengthening human skills, as well as the organisational and IT systems in which to formulate, and manage, sustainable debt strategies
• advising on the appropriate legal and regulatory environment
• developing policies and strategies to ensure debt sustainability.