News
China cuts red tape for gold industry
China's central bank will no longer have to approve gold manufacturing, processing and trading in the country Eastday reported.
Polish central bank complains about gov't pressure
A report from PAP news agency quotes Poland's central bank chief as describing government pressure to cut interest rates as 'unprecedented'.
Gordon Brown on current challenges to the IMF
Statement by Rt Hon Gordon Brown, United Kingdom International Monetary and Financial Committee, Washington D.C., 12 April 2003.
Stanley Fischer favourite to head NY Fed?
Sources close to the Fed say former IMF official Stanley Fischer could be favourite to replace William McDonough at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, according to a Reuters report.
Canada's Dodge urges G7 to boost economies
David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said rich countries should work to boost their economies to prevent further set backs for the world. The National Post reported his statement at the Washington meeting of the Group of Seven finance ministers and central…
Indian gov't considering fourth RBI dep governor
A fourth deputy governor's position could be created at the Reserve Bank of India. According to Business Standard, a senior finance ministry official said the position would carry the responsibility of regulating co-operative banks.
Duisenberg dashes hopes of ECB rate cut
Wim Duisenberg has said more is needed to rebuild consumer and business confidence than another rate cut, according to Business & Finance. He also said there was no serious danger of deflation in either Germany or the eurozone.
Bank of Japan head pledges to fight deflation
Toshihiko Fukui said at the weekend the central bank is ready to act on deflation, Bloomberg reports. He also said that he sensed most participants of the G7 meeting showed strong interest as to what policy stance he will be taking as governor of the BOJ.
Bank of England's George on world economy
Bank of England governor Edward George told reporters at the end of the G7 meeting that the recent fall in oil prices shows uncertainty is being lifted as the war draws to an end, according to a report by Reuters.
Chilean scandal prompts resignation of regulator
The head of Chile's financial regulator has resigned, according to the Wall Street Journal, following the scandal involving the leakage of information from the computer of the Central Bank President.
Bank of France plans to sell off property
The French central bank plans to sell approximately a fifth of its rented property assets over the next year, reports Le Figaro
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 4 and 5 March 2003 were released on 11 April. A member of the Policy Board said that the central bank could adopt operations that influenced asset prices as a way of boosting the economy.
Central Bank of Iraq - Looters try vault break in
British television on Thursday April 10 broadcast a report from inside the Central Bank of Iraq. A reporter was shown walking amongst upturned desks and debris with papers scattered everywhere and no sign of any staff.
Slovak central bank favours quick EMU entry
The National Bank of Slovakia will push for the country's earliest possible entry into EMU, according to a report by TASR. Speaking at a conference on Wednesday the Bank's vice-governor said the central bank was cooperating with the finance ministry on…
C bank criticism casts doubt on Polish reforms
Poland's fiscal restructuring plan may run into problems after central bank President Leszek Balcerowicz criticised the finance ministry's reform blueprint, according to a report in the Financial Times. The finance ministry said the central bank would be…
Russian central bank invites banks to talk back
the Moscow Times reports that Russia's central bank has started a discussion forum on its web site which aims to establish dialogue with the banking community and improve the quality of central bank decisions.
Fed's Poole: Central bank can be patient
St Louis Fed chief William Poole was reported by Reuters to hacve said hat even though the Federal Reserve is under some pressure to make further cuts in interest rates, markets will automatically compensate by discounting longer term rates taking some…
Ukraine's central banker eyes presidency
The Ukrainian newspaper Ukrayina Moloda, reported on Thursday 10 April that central bank president Serhiy Tyhypko, who has not held the job for more than six months, may be in line for a role in the 2004 presidential campaign - as a candidate.
Travelex loses court battle over euro symbol
Following the court action by British bureau de change Travelex, a verdict was reached on Thursday 10 April, according to Business & Finance. Travelex claimed that they owned the "€" euro symbol, had used it since 1989 and that the ECB's use of it…
Iran president to form 'coordinated' economic team
Iran's parliament praised the successes of the late central bank governor, Mohsen Nurbaksh and pledged to find a successor as soon as possible, the IRNA news agency reports. A government spokesman said that the President intends to form a coordinated…
Decision on Bank of France restructuring expected
The decision on what form the planned restructuring of the Bank of France's network of branches will take is to be announced on 28 April, according to Le Figaro.
Mexico c bank keeps monetary policy unchanged
The Banco de Mexico maintained its current monetary policy stance at its meeting on Friday April 11, Reuters reports. The annual inflation rate at the end of March was 5.64 percent, exceeding the central bank's goal of 3.0 percent.
Argentine gov't to withdraw quasi-currencies
An agreement reached on Thursday 10 April means that nine of the ten issues of quasi currencies can be removed from the system in Argentina, Associated Press said. The move which came during the currency crisis in the South American nation complicated…
IMF: No devaluation, Eastern Caribbean CU sound
The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union was endorsed by a recent IMF meeting, the Antigua Sun reports. The Fund said that there was no need for the long standing dollar peg value to change, for now. But fiscal deficits must be reduced to prevent pressure…