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Fed's Greenspan on global demographic change
In a speech on 'Global demographic change' given on 27 August, Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve warned that an ageing U.S. population will strain public finances and hurt the economy without swift fixes to the safety net, such as raising the age for…
BoE's Bean on global demographic change
In a speech 'Global demographic change: Some implications for central banks' given on 28 August, Charles Bean of the Bank of England said that although central banks will need to adapt to the changes brought about by an ageing population, for the most…
Papua New Guinea's Kamit on economic issues
Addressing the New Ireland Forum for Development Mr Kamit, governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, spoke about the issues facing the central bank, and developments in the country's economy.
Australia's Stevens on economic forecasting
Glenn Stevens, deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, gave a speech to the Economic Society of Victoria on August 17 on "The thankless task of economic forecasting". He discussed the accuracy of forecasts, how to make forecasts useful, and…
Japan's Fukui on financial services
Toshihiko Fukui, governor of the Bank of Japan, gave a speech on July 22 about the significance of efficient financial services for the future of Japan's economy.
Poland raises interest rate by half percent
The Polish central bank raised its main interest rate to 6.5 percent on August 24, the third rise in as many months. The central bank took the measures to address inflation, which has been rising following Poland's entry into the EU.
ECB study finds inflation targets do work
A recently published working paper by the European Central Bank investigates the impact of inflation targeting, and concludes that explicit inflation targets do have a significant effect on inflation expectations and persistence.
Taiwan under pressure to raise rates
The Central Bank of China, Taiwan's central bank, may be under pressure to increase interest rates for the first time since December 2000, according to news reports.
Thailand raises interest rates
The central bank of Thailand raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage points on Wednesday 25 August, bringing its repo rate to 1.5 percent. This follows a series of interest rate cuts which started in 2001, and comes amid signs of accelerating inflation…
China to intervene and save D'Long
China's central bank may be preparing to intervene to prevent the failure of troubled private conglomorate D'Long Group, in an unprecedented move to avoid financial chaos in China's banking system.
Sweden leaves rate unchanged
The Swedish central bank left the repo rate unchanged at two percent at its meeting on Thursday 19 August. The decision to keep the interest rate at the record low for the fifth consecutive month came despite recent reports of higher than anticipated GDP…
Canada hints at September rate rise
In a speech on August 23, Bank of Canada Deputy Governor David Longworth gave strong signals that the bank is contemplating raising its overnight interest rate from two percent at its September 8 meeting.
Poll thinks ECB unlikely to increase rates
A recent poll of economists showed that there are strong expectations that the ECB will not raise interest rates until the first half of 2005, waiting for proof of a pickup in consumer demand which would protect against a global slowdown.
Brazil's Meirelles given cabinet status
The president of the Central Bank of Brazil, Henrique Meirelles, has been granted cabinet status in a further development to allegations of his financial misconduct by the national press.
Russia issues forecasts on 2005
The Russian government will continue to target both the exchange rate and inflation next year because its economy is not ready for a free-floating ruble. At the same time, forecasts show a potential boost to the economy from revenues caused by high oil…
Thai leader shows support for central bank chief
At a press conference on Friday 14 August, the Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, quashed speculation that he would replace the governor of the Bank of Thailand over problems in the banking sector.
Sweden's Heikensten on inflation
In a speech on economic developments and inflation prospects, given on August 16, Sweden's central bank governor Lars Heikensten said that the Riksbank's assessment of inflation and economic activity had not significantly altered since its last inflation…
Slovakia budget points to euro entry hopes
Slovakia is hoping to adopt the euro in January 2009, according to a report on the new draft budget, depending on inflation and government finances being kept under control.
India moves to reform government securities market
The Reserve Bank of India may soon lose its position as exclusive banker to the Government of India, reports Business Standard. If the Government Securities Act, which will replace the 1944 Public Debt Act, is passed by parliament, other banks will be…
Hungary cuts rates by half percent
The central bank of Hungary reduced the base rate by half a percentage point, from 11.5 percent to 11 percent, when it met on 16 August. While the central bank pointed to improvements in the economy as the cause, it is thought that a desire to weaken the…
ECB's Guy Quaden says no rate rise
In an interview with L'Echo on 12 August, Guy Quaden offered reassurances that the ECB had no plans to raise interest rates in the immediate future.
Brazil leaves rates unchanged
Brazil's central bank decided to leave its interest rate at 16 per cent, as the country's economic recovery starts to result in rising inflation.
South Africa's Mboweni on challenges in Africa
In a speech on 'Challenges of central banking in Africa' given on 5 August, T T Mboweni, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, spoke about how the traditional challenges facing central banks apply to African countries, what effet circumstances…
Minutes of Bank of England MPC, August
Minutes from the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee revealed a unanimous decision to raise interest rates in August, but indicate that the UK may be approaching the end of the series of rate rises which began in November 2003.