<P> Countries with foreign exchange controls are also known as "Article 14 countries," after the provision in the International Monetary Fund agreement allowing exchange controls for transitional economies . Such controls used to be common in most countries, particularly poorer ones, until the 1990s when free trade and globalization started a trend towards economic liberalization . Today, countries which still impose exchange controls are the exception rather than the rule . </P> <P> Often, foreign exchange controls can result in the creation of black markets to exchange the weaker currency for stronger currencies . This leads to a situation where the exchange rate for the foreign currency is much higher than the rate set by the government, and therefore creates a shadow currency exchange market . As such, it is unclear whether governments have the ability to enact effective exchange controls . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (October 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (October 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr>

Exchange control regulates international trade by controlling access to foreign currencies