Central Banks
France 'won't back Rato's IMF candidacy'
Outgoing Spanish Economy Minister Rodrigo Rato emerged as a leading European candidate to head the IMF this week, but his chances of getting the nod were later thrown into doubt following comments attributed to Jacques Chirac.
RBI staff 'are grossly underpaid'
The Reserve Bank of India's Officers Association (RBIOA) has demanded that pay be linked to other central banks, saying a tiger must be compared with a tiger.
Brash unimpressed with RBNZ's plans
Former RBNZ chief Don Brash said this week that while the high value of the New Zealand dollar was hurting the economy, any attempt to intervene would be fraught with risk.
BoE's Tucker on financial markets dialogue
In a speech to the National Association of Pension Funds given on 19 March Paul Tucker of the Bank of England said that with interest rates at 4%, monetary policy is still "stimulating the economy". He comments, "If, as projected, output continues to…
Taiwan markets jittery after President shot
Taiwan markets were nervous on Friday 19 March after President Chen Shui-bian survived an assassination attempt on the eve of a presidential election. The central bank said it would intervene to stabilise the currency where necessary.
Minutes show Fed wanted increased flexibility
The FOMC was unanimous at their January meeting that they should ditch a pledge to keep interest rates low for "a considerable period" in favour of wording that would increase their flexibility, minutes showed Thursday.
Norway's Gjedrem on monetary policy & economics
In a speech on 'Monetary policy and the economic outlook' given on 19 March, Svein Gjedrem of Norges Bank said that the upturn has both broadened out and gained momentum in the past months. All sectors report stable or increasing demand and sales. The…
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Mar 2004
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, March 2004 activity in the region's manufacturing sector continues to improve.
GCC plans economic coordination monetary fund
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is considering creating a monetary fund to coordinate economic and fiscal policies between member states and ensure the success of the planned monetary union, it was reported on Friday 19 March .
Japanese Fin Min praises Fukui's first year
Japan's Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Friday 19 March that Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui acted "appropriately and boldly" in his first year as head of the central bank.
Brazil to pursue 5.5% inflation target: Meirelles
Brazil's Central Bank President Henrique Meirelles said on Friday 19 March that he will continue to pursue a 5.5% inflation target "to guarantee growth of 3.5% or more" this year.
Uzbek central bank denies currency reform
First Deputy Chairman of the Uzbek central bank Muhammad Jumageldiyev has dismissed rumours that Uzbekistan is planning to replace its existing currency denominations.
Kenya's former governor accused as party to theft
The Goldenberg inquiry has heard former Central Bank of Kenya Governor, Eric Kotut conspired with banks to defraud the bank of a massive US$247.9 million (Sh9.7 billion) in April 1993.
IMF issues warning on website's misuse of its name
In view of inquiries to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the website www.imfdebt.com, the IMF advised the public of the following on Friday 19 March.
International Conference on Emerging Markets
The Centre for the Study of Emerging Markets (CSEM), Westminster Business School, London, will hold a two-day conference 11-12 June. Confirmed speakers include central bank governors from Poland, Bolivia, Latvia and Bosnia Herzegovina.
Greenspan on Banking
In a speech on 'Banking' given on 17 March, Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said US banks are strong and profitable, with "favourable" asset quality, and able to provide financing for a growing economy.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, March 2004
The Bank of Japan published its March 2004 Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments on 18 March. In the report the BOJ kept its economic assessment unchanged, saying the economy was in a gradual recovery.
Combined ATM system starts in Pakistan
Dr Ishrat Husain, the governor of the fState Bank of Pakistan (SBP), has inaugurated the two ATM switches, Mnet and 1-Link, at a ceremony held at the SBP building.
Eurozone inflation slows to 1.6 percent
Eurozone annual inflation slowed to 1.6 per cent in February, its lowest level since November 1999, data from the European Union's statistics agency showed on Wednesday 17 March.
Japanese officials say intervention not over yet
Japanese officials continued their battle with foreign exchange markets on Thursday 18 March as the yen surged against the dollar, warning they will act against sudden moves, but only when necessary.