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No radical policy changes at Bank of Canada
The Financial Post's Madelaine Drohan says in this article that anyone who thinks Canada's monetary policy is going to change dramatically with David Dodge at the Bank of Canada is dreaming in technicolour. It just isn't going to happen. Printed in the…
Zambia technical group to probe kwacha weakness
Zambian Finance Minister Katele Kalumba said on Dec 22 the government had appointed a technical committee to study the kwacha's weakness and recommend ways to stabilise the currency.
Slovenia c.bank eases portfolio investment rules
The Bank of Slovenia said on Dec 22 it would from January 2001 ease restrictions for foreign portfolio investment, part of its programme to harmonise regulations with those of the European Union by the end of 2002.
Australia's central bank supported A$, worst over
Australia's central bank intervened to support the local dollar to the tune of A$860 million in November as the currency plumbed record lows, the Reserve Bank said on Dec 21.
CNB Bank Board leaves interest rates unchanged
The Bank Board of the Czech National Bank CNB, which Dec 21 discussed the 12th status report on monetary and economic development, made no changes in the interest rates, spokesman Milan Tomanek told reporters after the session. The repo rate thus…
Bank of Portugal says 2000 growth 2.75% to 3.25%
The Bank of Portugal envisages that the country should register economic growth in 2000 of between 2.75 per cent and 3.25 per cent.
Mauritius automates banking settlement system
Mauritius' central bank on Dec 21 2000 launched an automated real time clearing and settlement system for the country's banking sector.
No change in Cyprus rates post deregulation-c.bank
Interest rates in Cyprus are expected to remain steady in the immediate future as the economy dismantles the rigid rate control regime from January 1 2001, the island's central bank governor said on Dec 21 2000.
Welteke-far too soon to signal lower ECB rates
Bundesbank President Ernst Welteke said on Dec 21 Europe was well equipped to withstand an economic slowdown in the United States and that it was far too soon to signal lower interest rates in the euro zone.
ECB plays down danger of eurozone price difference
The European Central Bank said Dec 21 said diverging eurozone inflation rates were not a flaw of a one-size fits all monetary policy, provided that the differences proved to be only short-lived.
Cuba to aim for 5 percent economic growth in 2001
Cuba set a 2001 economic growth target of 5 percent on Dec 21 but said one of its strategic priorities would be reducing its swelling current account deficit.
Venezuela slows depreciation rate of currency band
Venezuela's central bank said on Dec 21 2000 it would slow the depreciation of the central parity rate of the bolivar currency next year to 7.00 percent annually, from about 12 percent this year.
Govt has no control over currency trading says MAS
The Monetary Authority of Singapore said the government does not exercise any control over currency trading in Singapore. Currency values are determined by market forces and the banks which trade them are merely "intermediaries" which allow them to find…
CNB to get rid of 1000, 5000 crown banknotes
The 1993 version of 1,000 and 5,000 crown banknotes will no longer be legal tender from July 1 2001. After this date it will no longer be possible to buy goods in shops with them, but they can still be exchanged at commercial banks for three more years.
Where does this leave Malcom Knight?
With the appointment of David Dodge as the next governor of the Bank of Canada came a question: Whither Malcolm Knight?
IMF Koehler praises Turkey govt, but action needed
Horst Koehler, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, stressed on Dec 21 that the $7.5 billion in new financing the IMF is providing Turkey is a short-term measure to ensure a liquidity crisis in the banking sector doesn't derail wider…
BoC new governor Dodge says low inflation priority
David Dodge, the newly appointed governor of Canada's central bank, said Dec 20 his task "is to keep inflation low and stable," the legacy of his predecessor, Gordon Thiessen.
UK govt climbdown on payment system regulation
The UK government on Wednesday dropped plans for a new banking regulator to monitor the payments system, and handed responsibility to the Office of Fair Trading, which has general responsibilities for promoting competition.