Central Banks
Sources of exchange rate fluctuations in S Africa
IMF Working Paper on the "Sources of Nominal Exchange Rate Fluctuations in South Africa" published December 2003.
Noyer-ECB policy offers best conditions for growth
Christian Noyer, governor of the Bank of France, said on Friday 9 January that the ECB would not give in to external pressure on its strategy and that current monetary conditions in the eurozone offered the best possibilities for growth.
Inflation falls within central bank target- Mexico
A modest rise in inflation in December took the annual rate to 3.98%, just under the central bank's target of a 2 to 4 per cent target range for 2003.
Kansas Fed's Hoenig optimistic on 2004 growth
Kansas Fed President Thomas Hoenig said on Thursday 8 January that he expects robust and sustainable growth for the new year which should help improve employment levels.
Fukui to attend Basel BIS meeting
Toshihiko Fukui is due to attend a meeting of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland, the BOJ said on Friday 9 January.
Russia to issue more secure bank notes
The Central Bank of Russia is planning to issue new-look bank notes later this year in an effort to beat counterfeiters.
Ex Russian c bank chief forecasts dollar recovery
Viktor Gerashchenko, the former Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia, has said that "the exchange rates of the dollar and the euro will align within the next year or year and a half."
Longworth on monetary and financial stability
In a speech given on 9 January, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada David Longworth discusses how the interaction between sound monetary and financial stability policies contributes to solid economic performance.
Venezuelan president threatens to take over c bank
On Wednesday 7 January Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez threatened to take over the country's independent central bank if it did not agree to his demand to hand over $1 billion in reserves to finance farming projects.
Kohn on the United States in the world economy
Fed Governor Donald Kohn said on Wednesday 7 January that China would need more flexibility in its yuan currency "at some point", but acknowledged China faced complex problems.
Bank of England holds rates steady
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted on Thursday 8 January to maintain the Bank's repo rate at 3.75%.
ECB maintains eurozone rates at 2%
The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged on Thursday 8 January as widely expected, defying calls that cheaper money is needed to prevent a strong euro from hurting economic recovery.
Bundesbank head sees threat from euro strength
Bundesbank Vice President Juergen Stark said in a newspaper interview published on Thursday 8 January that the speed and scale of the euro's rise against the dollar could become a possible threat to the German economy.
IMF urges need for balanced budget plan in US
The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday 7 January urged the United States to formulate a clear plan to balance its budget, saying tax cuts had given the economy only a modest lift.
Argentina's World Bank loan plan on hold for IMF
At the request of some of its member countries the World Bank has put consideration of a new lending program for Argentina on hold until the country has completed a delayed review of its IMF program.
Vietnam central bank plans gold purchase
Vietnam's central bank has given the go-ahead for the country to import up to 10 tonnes of extra gold in the first quarter of 2004.
Hungary's future finance chief signals euro delay
Hungary's future finance minister signalled on Thursday 8 January that the country's 2008 target for joining the eurozone may have to be delayed.
Atlanta's Guynn looking to the long term
In a speech entitled 'Look to the Long Term' given on 5 January, Jack Guynn of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta said more balanced growth will likely continue in 2004 as labor markets gain strength.
PBOC appoints clearing bank for RMB business
The People's Bank of China has appointed Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited as the Clearing Bank for RMB Business in Hong Kong.
St Louis Fed's Regional Economist, January 2004
The Quarterly Review of Business and Economic Conditions, The Regional Economist, January edition from the St Louis Fed includes the article "Another jobless recovery" which asks whether the U.S. economy is undergoing fundamental changes.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, Dec 2003
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published its quarterly Bulletin for December 2003. The December issue of the Bulletin contains three articles, and two speeches delivered over recent months by the Bank's Governor.
Finance chiefs to meet in Florida on February 6
G7 finance chiefs and central bank governors will meet in Florida for a two-day summit from February 6, the US Treasury has announced.
Source says BOJ spent Y3 trln in intervention
Japan, worried that a strong yen could hurt an export-led recovery in its economy, spent about three trillion yen ($28.3 billion) in the first two days of this week to hold the currency down, market sources said on Wednesday 7 January.
Court battle may loom over EU Pact
EU finance ministers reportedly acted illegally when they suspended EU budget rules to spare France and Germany disciplinary action over their excessive deficits.