Central Banks
Fed policy shift stirs debate on economic policy
The Federal Reserve's warning on Tuesday that the economy was rapidly losing steam stirs the pot in a simmering debate between the Clinton administration and President-elect George W. Bush's team about whether a new prescription for growth is needed.
Bank of Israel- No need to import hi-tech workers
The Bank of Israel said yesterday it objects to bringing engineers and software technicians from India to Israel in attempt to fill the shortage in skilled workers in the hi-tech industry.
Guatemala considers legalising limited dollar use
Weeks after El Salvador adopted the dollar as one of its currencies, Guatemala's Congress was considering a similar plan Monday, the Associated Press reported.
Paraguay cbank sees 1%-1.5% GDP growth in 2000
Paraguay's economy is expected to have grown 1%-1.5% by the end of 2000, according to preliminary data, the country's central bank president Washington Ashwell said Tuesday.
Mexico's Ortiz sees Dec CPI affected by US weather
Bank of Mexico Governor guillermo Ortiz warned Tuesday that December inflation will be higher than expected as key vegetable prices soared on the cold spell across the US.
Speculators eroding Nigerian naira's value-c.bank
The Central Bank of Nigeria said on Tuesday it had provided a total of $6.7 billion in funding for the domestic foreign exchange market this year but that speculators had robbed the economy of the benefits.
Jarai named next MNB head - Varga to replace him
Finance minister Zsigmond Jarai was nominated to succeed Gyorgy Suranyi as president of the National Bank of Hungary last week, ending months of speculation. The Budapest Business Journal reports.
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.