Evaluating Projects with the Benefit - Cost Ratio Method - Interest rate public projects

6 important questions on Evaluating Projects with the Benefit - Cost Ratio Method - Interest rate public projects

  • What is the goal of projects in the public sector?
  • Based on the above how is the interest rate determined?

The goal is the maximization of social benefits
The choice of interest rate in the public sector is intended to determine how available funds should best be allocated among competing projects to achieve social goals.

What are the [3] main considerations in choosing the interest rate to use in public sector projects?

  1. The interest rate on borrowed capital;
  2. The opportunity cost of capital to the governmental agency;
  3. Opportunity cost of capital to the tax payers;

What is meant with the consideration: the interest rate on borrowed capital?

It is appropriate to use the interest rate on borrowed capital as the interest rate for cases in which money is borrowed specifically for the projects under considerations.
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What is meant with the consideration: the opportunity cost of capital to the governmental agency?

If projects are selected such that the estimated return (in terms of benefits) on all accepted projects is higher than that on any of the rejected projects then the interest rate used in economic analyses is that associated with the best opportunity forgone.

What is meant with the consideration: The opportunity cost of capital to the taxpayers?

Based on the philosophy that all government spending takes potential investment capital away from the taxpayers.

What is an additional theory used on establishing interest rates for federal projects?

The social discount rate should be the market-determined risk-free rate for private investment. (nominal interest rate on the order of 3-4% per year)

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

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