Petersen and Freire (2004) argue that subnational borrowing can be an alternative
for funding some infrastructure investments, especially when the
useful life of the investments (such as schools, roads, or public utilities) is long,
and they highlight the need for developing efficient access to credit for local
authorities. Some countries have begun developing credit markets by establishing
municipal finance corporations operated on commercial principles.
Municipal rating agencies could assist such corporations in helping local
governments borrow for infrastructure investments.
Effective capital markets are dependent on subnational fiscal discipline.
But they also contribute to such discipline by demanding transparency in
subnational finances. Other necessary conditions for capital markets to develop
include effective supervisory authorities, judicially enforceable contracts, tax
decentralization, civic norms that promote fiscal prudence, and skilled staff, as
well as adequate accounting, disclosure, and reporting standards (Petersen and
Freire 2004: 4).