Central Banks
Ireland vulnerable to inflation, slowdown
Ireland's central bank on Tuesday issued its sternest warning yet about the inflation dangers facing Europe's fastest-growing economy and said the country was increasingly vulnerable to a sharp slowdown.
Zambia c.bank sets forex controls to help kwacha
Zambia's central bank introduced limited foreign exchange controls on Tuesday to stem the decline in its currency this year, drawing swift protests from companies in the country.
Ukraine c.bank mulls relaunching currency futures
Ukraine may relaunch its currency futures market next year but the central bank will still hold the foreign exchange market in a tight grip, a senior central bank official said on Tuesday.
EDS, Orga win Austrian gov't smartcard contract
The Austrian government yesterday provisionally awarded a much delayed smart card contract to US-based Electronic Data Systems Corp and German chipcard manufacturer Orga Kartensysteme. The smart cards will be issued to the approximately eight million…
BOJ's Hayami says Japan recovery stalling
Improvement in Japanese corporate sentiment has stalled and the nation's economic recovery has slowed, the nation's central bank chief said on Tuesday, confirming what financial markets have suspected for weeks.
Thai central bank plans electronic bond settlement
The Bank of Thailand said it plans to introduce an electronic settlement system for bond and debt paper transactions in late 2001 as part of its policy to develop the Thai money market.
Chile on track for growth of close to 6%
Chile yesterday looked on course for economic growth this year of close to 6% after stronger than expected gross domestic product figures for October.
ECB publishes updated Target information guide
The European Central Bank said it is publishing Monday an updated version of the information guide for credit institutions using the euro-zone's Target payment system.
Putin's aide has dim view of Russian cbank policy
This year's actual rouble rate exceeded the projected level by some 40%-50%, Andrey Illarionov, Russian President Putin's adviser for economic affairs, said at the joint session of the Duma banking and budget committees, at which the monetary policy of…
Greek EMU entry may boost euro M3 growth-CSFB
Greek membership of the euro next year could make a significant impact on euro zone money supply growth, according to researchers at Credit Suisse First Boston.
HKMA launch final stage of dollar clearing system
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority launched the final phase of its US dollar payment system on Monday, offering paper cheque clearing and delivery versus payment settlement of US dollar denominated debt.
Estonia makes promises in additional memo to IMF
The government and the Bank of Estonia pledge in an additional economic policy memorandum to the International Monetary Fund signed in November to use all extra income to establish a fiscal surplus in 2001.
Taiwan mulls monetary policy framework change
Taiwan's Central Bank of China (CBC) governor Perng Fai-nan on Monday said the central bank is mulling adjusting its monetary policy-making framework. But Perng said it remains debatable whether an "inflation targeting" framework, which is adopted in New…
RBI seen cutting India rates next year-JP Morgan
The Reserve Bank of India is likely to cut its benchmark bank rate in the financial year starting April 2001 due to a more stable rupee, comfortable money market liquidity, record foreign exchange reserves, and an easing bias in global interest rates, JP…
Yugoslavia an IMF member, to receive $100m-Dinkic
Yugoslavia will have $100m at its disposal on the basis of gold reserves, which Former Yugoslavia has in the Bank of International Settlements in Basel, Mladjan Dinkic, Yugoslav National Bank governor, announced this evening.
Russian banker predicts 'not easy' year
Uncertainty about the restructuring of Russia's debt to the Paris Club of creditors might entail changes in Russia's fiscal and credit policy in 2001, said central bank first deputy chairman Tatyana Paramonova.
Cote d'Ivoire urges UEMOA solidarity
Ivorian commerce and industry minister, Bohoun Bouabre, has called for greater cooperation among the eight-nation West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
Reserve Bank of India rules out rates cut
The Reserve Bank of India Saturday admitted that the cost of borrowing is high, but ruled out a rate cut during this fiscal year as it has already softened.
Sudan central bank governor outlines fiscal policy
Governor of the Bank of Sudan Dr Sabir Muhammad al-Hasan Saturday held a press conference in the presence of the commercial banks' directors at which he reviewed the monetary and financial policies for the year 2001.
Castellanos views interest rates, currency band
Venezuela's central bank president Diego Luis Castellanos announced today that the institution would not impose controls over private banking interest rates.
BOJ board keeps monetary policy unchanged
The Bank of Japan said on Friday its policy board decided to continue its policy of driving the key overnight call rate to 0.25%, a decision widely expected by financial markets. The decision was by a majority vote.
Fed unlikely to cut rates - Washington Post
Faced with slowing economic growth and an uncertain short-term economic outlook, a number of Federal Reserve officials have concluded that the risk of serious weakness in the economy is as great as the risk that inflation will get worse, the Washington…
Dariusz Rosati defends Poland's monetary policy
Dariusz Rosati, former finance minister and member of the central bank's monetary policy council (RPP), responded in a recent issue of the current affairs weekly Polityka to a critical article by Professor Andrzej Sopocko. Edited excerpts follow.