Central Banks
Australia's central bank supported A$, worst over
Australia's central bank intervened to support the local dollar to the tune of A$860 million in November as the currency plumbed record lows, the Reserve Bank said on Dec 21.
UK's MPC split 7-2 for steady rates in Dec
Britain's central Bank was split 7-2 in favour of leaving interest rates unchanged at 6.0% earlier this month, minutes of the meeting showed on Wednesday.
BOT to launch daily liquidity forecasts
The Bank of Thailand will soon launch a daily liquidity forecast - a new tool designed to control short-term market rates.The forecast would tell financial institutions roughly how much liquidity there would be on the following day, BOT assistant…
Nigeria cbank closely monitors forex transactions
The Central Bank of Nigeria has intensified its monitoring of the interbank foreign exchange market with a view to unraveling the cause of the unusual high demand for foreign exchange.
China c.bank says gold exchange venue not set
China's central bank said on Tuesday it had not decided where to set up the first national gold exchange, denying a newspaper report it would be located in Shanghai.
France helps Niger bolster economy after IMF deal
France's AFD aid agency has granted Niger 4.0 billion CFA francs ($5.5 million) to help rebuild its economy and public finances, official sources said.
Anglo sees no immediate impact of Zambia controls
Mining giant Anglo American Plc said on Wednesday its business interests in Zambia would not be affected immediately by the country's decision to impose limited foreign exchange controls.
Swedish c.bank says one member opposed rate hike
Sweden's central bank, the Riksbank, said one of its six board members did not support this month's increase of Sweden's key repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.00 percent.
UK govt climbdown on payment system regulation
The UK government on Wednesday dropped plans for a new banking regulator to monitor the payments system, and handed responsibility to the Office of Fair Trading, which has general responsibilities for promoting competition.
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…