Optimal Choice of a Proximate Monetary Target in an Open Economy*

This paper investigates the implications of hitting a monetary target (rate of interest or money supply) in an open economy. The technique of linear optimal control is applied to a small open economy of the Australian economy. A feature of the model is the interrelationship between the monetary and open sectors which complicates the use of monetary policy. Four optimal control experiments are reported in detail. The results indicate that we should aim for a money-supply target rather than an interest-rate target and that some assistance from fiscal policy should be provided to monetary policy in order to achieve this target.