News
Interview with ECB's Papademos
In an interview published this week, European Central Bank vice-president Lucas Papademos said the weakening of the EU stability and growth pact's rules on cutting deficits would increase the chances of an ECB interest rate hike if it led to a weakening…
Iran's Khatami reappoints central bank governor
President Mohammad Khatami, in a decree issued on Monday 28 March, reconfirmed Ebrahim Sheybani as the governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Iranian news agency IRNA reported this week.
Bundesbank rejects claims of missed staff targets
The Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, has refuted newspaper reports this week stating that it will miss its planned staff reduction targets by a significant amount.
Woman takes charge of China's State forex office
China has appointed a woman as the new director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Hu Xiaolian was formerly an assistant governor of the People's Bank of China.
Sweden's Executive Board to visit Jamtland
The Executive Board of the Sveriges Riksbank will visit Jamtland county on 7-8 April. The Board said it would hold a meeting in stersund and make some study visits in the region. The meeting is one of several held outside Stockholm in recent years.
HKMA announces pay review 2005
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced on Friday 1 April the result of the annual pay review for staff of the HKMA in 2005. As a result of the pay review, the Fixed Pay of most HKMA staff will continue to be frozen in 2005.
Minutes from the Sveriges Riksbank Meeting, 14 Mar
The Sveriges Riksbank published the minutes from its 14 March Executive Board meeting on 1 April. The minutes showed members expected inflation to be lower than the target level of 2 per cent for a large part of the coming two-year period.
World Bank confirms Wolfowitz as President
The directors of the World Bank confirmed the appointment of Paul Wolfowitz as its President on Thursday 31 March, but agreed on the need for a more open and transparent process for selecting future bank presidents.
BOJ's Takenaka says economic outlook unchanged
The Japanese government said its view of the economy remains unaltered following the publication of the Bank of Japan's Tankan survey which showed confidence among large manufacturers unexpectedly fell for a second quarter.
IMF chief warns on world economy risks
Speaking on Friday 1 April in Spain, IMF chief Rodrigo Rato said large US current account deficits posed a risk to the world economy and warned that a sharp fall in inflows into US bond markets might have serious consequences for markets.
US says no need to sell off IMF's gold
There is no need for the International Monetary Fund to sell some of its gold stocks to fund debt relief for poor countries, a US treasury spokesperson said Thursday.
Changes to New Zealand's 'silver' coins
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced on Thursday 31 March its decisions to modernise New Zealand's silver-coloured coins.
ECB reveals gold sales; no more planned before Sep
The European Central Bank has completed a programme of gold sales amounting to 47 tons of gold, it said on Thursday 31 March.
BOK records 150 billion won loss
The Bank of Korea revealed on Thursday 31 March that it made a loss in 2004 for the first time in 10 years due to large interest payments on bonds sold to adjust the nation's money supply.
Gold sale plan would not hit market says IMF
Part of the International Monetary Fund's gold reserves could be sold to pay for its share of debt relief to poor countries without destabilising the market, according to Rodrigo Rato.
Fukui sees return to growth for Japan soon
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told parliament that the nation's economy should return to sustained growth soon.
Hackers steal Russian central bank transactions
Russian hackers have stolen the database of central bank transactions from April 2003 to September 2004, the Vedomosti newspaper reported on Wednesday 30 March .
IMF says Canada's economy strongest among G7
The International Monetary Fund praised Canada for its economic performance during the past decade on Tuesday 29 March, saying its economic outlook seems solid.
EU backs Wolfowitz nomination to World Bank
European leaders cautiously endorsed Paul Wolfowitz, the US nominee to head the World Bank, on Wednesday 30 March after promising to keep the institution "truly multinational."
Malaysia says reserves well-diversified
Malaysia's international reserves are well-balanced and not excessive in US dollar holdings, Bernama news agency reported, quoting Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Deputy Governor Ooi Sang Kuang.
IMF will announce gold sale plan in April - report
The International Monetary Fund plans to make proposals in April regarding selling or re-valuing some of its gold reserves, a German press report said on Tuesday 29 March.
US's Snow pleased with Brazil IMF decision
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said in a statement on Monday 28 March that he was glad Brazil has decided it does not need a new International Monetary Fund loan accord.
China plans gradual forex reform, says PBOC chief
China will reform its exchange rate regime gradually on a schedule of its choosing and does not plan simply to revalue the yuan, the governor of the People's Bank of China said in an interview.
Brazil cuts inflation forecast amid slower growth
Brazil's central bank lowered its forecast for 2006 inflation, saying seven interest rate increases since September have helped reduce economic growth that was fueling a rise in consumer prices.