Monetary Policy
IMF to start exploratory talks with Romanian govt
The IMF will visit Bucharest in early February to discuss with the newly elected Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase how he plans to reduce inflation, restructure state-owned industries and create a healthier financial-banking system, the daily…
Thai central bank cuts 2001 growth forecast
Thailand's central bank cut its forecast for 2001 gross domestic product (GDP) growth on Jan. 29, 2001, to 3-4.5 percent from a previous projection of 4-5.5 percent, blaming a U.S. economic slowdown and a faltering domestic recovery. "The evident…
BOJ Hayami-economy moderately recovering
Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami reiterated Jan. 29 that while the economy is gradually recovering, the pace of growth is slowing due to a fall off in exports. "The economy continues to moderately recover, but the tempo is easing due to a…
Taiwan will adopt loose monetary policy
Taiwan central bank governor Perng Fai-nan said on Jan. 29, 2001, the bank would adopt an "appropriately loose" monetary policy, and would consider following suit if the U.S. cuts rates at the end of the month. The central bank would also fully supply…
Bank of Canada forecasts 3 percent growth
The Bank of Canada estimates the Canadian economy will expand by 3 percent in 2001 after growing at a rate of 5 percent in 2000, Deputy Governor Sheryl Kennedy said on Jan. 29, 2001. "The Canadian economy has been performing well in recent years and we…
Dutch cbank scores high in research
The 12 central banks which make up the European central banking system should compete more among themselves. And improvement of each bank's research team will increase the influence of the president of the relevant bank, according to Sylvester Eijffinger…
IMF to cut world growth forecast sharply
The deputy head of the International Monetary Fund said on Jan. 27, 2001, the IMF may cut its 2001 world growth forecast to around 3.5 percent from 4.2 percent and warned Japan had little scope to spur growth soon. Stanley Fischer, first deputy managing…
Monetary mechanism in a high inflation environment
A new discuussion paper from the Research Department of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey examines the basic features of the monetary transmission mechanism in Turkey.
ECB rates on hold for now, Fed moves key - Welteke
The European Central Bank's interest rate policy is on hold for the time being, though another sharp cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve would force European policymakers to carefully assess their stance, Bundesbank President ECB board member Ernst Welteke…
Fraga says Brazil not that affected by US slowdown
A slowdown in the U.S. economy won't have a major impact on Brazil, in part because of the diversity of Brazil's export markets, central bank governor Arminio Fraga said Jan. 26. "Scenarios of economic deceleration, without a major crisis or anything…
Mexico Ortiz sees 2001 inflation 6.5% despite VAT
Official Mexican inflation targets for 2001 won't be changed whatever the impact of a value-added tax to be imposed shortly on certain goods, central bank governor Guillermo Ortiz said Jan. 26, 2001. Mexico is to impose VAT on food and medicines by an…
Riksbank new board member is economist, ex-MEP
Kristina Persson, an economist and former MEP, was appointed on Jan. 26, 2001, to fill a vacant seat on the Swedish Riksbank central bank's seven-member board of governors, which sets monetary policy, the bank said. Persson, 55, who has worked at the…
Cyprus cbank leaves base rate unchanged at 7.0 pct
Cyprus's central bank left its key interest rate steady at 7.0 percent at a board meeting on Jan. 26 as expected, a senior manager said. "The board of the central bank decided to adopt the recommendation of the monetary advisory committee to leave the…
Czech house wants cbank aim cut from constitution
The lower house of the Czech parliament agreed on Jan. 26, 2001, to cut the central bank's policy aim out of the constitution, a part of a wider revamp of central bank laws by the country's two main parties.But the constitutional amendment is expected to…
Brash -Svensson report due 'within next few weeks'
A New Zealand government-appointed independent review into the country's monetary policy making will publish its findings within a few weeks, Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash said on Jan. 26, 2001.The one-man review is being conducted by Lars Svensson,…
Greenspan surprises with support for tax cuts
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan delivered some surprising support for President George W. Bush's call for a $1.6 trillion tax cut, saying tax cuts will benefit the economy in the long run."In today's context, where tax reduction appears…
Portugal cbank warns govt on wages, inflation
Portugal's central bank on Jan. 25 delivered a slap on the wrist to the Socialistgovernment for raising state sector wages too much, saying itposed a risk to inflation. "The main risk to inflation forecasts comes from salariesand it would be extremely…
Czech cbank cuts inflation fcast, leaves rates
The Czech central bank board, in the face of weaker price pressures, discussed the possibility of a rate cut at its regular weekly board meeting on Jan. 25 but left rates unchanged, vice-Governor Ludek Niedermayer said. Monetary department chief Ales…
Israel's Barak backs cautious monetary policy
Prime Minister Ehud Barak said on Jan. 25 he supports the Bank of Israel's cautious interest rate policy despite calls from the business sector for sharper rate cuts. "I think this (Alan) Greenspan type of cautious, carefully weighed policy of the Bank…
Ukraine c.bank desperately seeking t-bill buyers
Ukraine's central bank said on Jan. 25, it plans to increase loans to commercial banks secured on treasury bills this year in a move aimed at reviving the domestic debt market. The market has been at a virtual standstill since Russia's 1998 financial…
Cyprus cbank expected to leave rate steady Jan 26
Cyprus's central bank is expected to leave itskey interest rate unchanged when its board meets on Jan 26, bank sourcesand independent analysts said.
Estonian 2000 domestic lending growth high-c.bank
Estonian total domestic lending in 2000 grew 30.6 percent year-on-year to stand at 34.7 billion kroons ($2.05 billion) at the end of December 2000, the central bank said on Jan. 25.