This chapter provides an overview of the major trends and forces shaping the OECD public debt markets. Special attention is being paid to best practices in primary and secondary markets, the policy implications of declining public debt, the growing importance of electronic trading systems, trends in the organisation of debt management offices and the use of derivatives in public debt management.
Specific information and
background on the following three regions are also given: North American debt markets, the emerging pan-European public debt market, and the Asian-Pacific public debt markets. A more general discussion on issues and policies in emerging public debt markets is also included.