News
Bank of England cuts inflation forecast
The Bank of England's inflation report published on Wednesday 13 August showed that the Bank expects inflation to dip below the 2.5 percent target for most of 2004, after reaching 3 percent in April, Bloomberg reports.
Norway's central bank reduces interest rates
Norges Bank reduced interest rates on Wednesday 13 August by 1 percent to 3 percent, according to a report by Afterposten. This was the sixth time this year that Norway's central bank lowered interest rates.
Mexico reserves rise to $51.980 bln in Aug 8 week
Mexico's international reserves rose $255 million between Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 the Banco de Mexico said on Tuesday 12 August, according to Reuters..
BOU gets tough on forex flow
Foreign exchange bureau operators in Uganda have been issued with new guidelines on how to tackle money laundering, according to All Africa News. This focus on forex operators is part of the Uganda Bankers Association's 'Know Your Customer' (KYC)…
Zimbabwe's retailers reject new travellers cheques
After the introduction of new travellers' cheques in Zimbabwe to ease the cash crisis, reports say some retailers are turning away customers who have the cheques, according to All Africa News.
UK Treasury reviews cash ratio deposit scheme
Conclusions and recommendations of a UK Government review of the cash ratio deposit scheme for financial institutions. The key conclusions of the review are: The cash ratio deposit scheme continues to be a suitable method of funding Bank of England…
Argentina, IMF seen close to loan deal
Argentina and the International Monetary Fund have made progress in negotiations over the preliminary three-year debt rescheduling agreement, Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna told reporters on Monday Reuters said.
UK inflation rises unexpectedly in July
UK inflation rose to 2.9% in July the National Statistics office said Tuesday according to BizWorld. "The largest upward influence came from clothing and footwear, particularly women's outerwear. This year's summer sales for clothing were not as great as…
Fed expected to keep rates steady at 45-year low
The Federal Reserve is expected to hold short-term interest rates steady when it meets Tuesday USA Today reported, amid recent signs - including faster productivity growth and rising factory orders - that the economy is beginning to accelerate at a…
BOJ sets up panel to check accuracy of statistics
The Bank of Japan is to set up a committee to examine the central bank's statistics for accuracy, Japan Today said. The BOJ acknowledged July 25 that its monthly data on the outstanding balance of CP underwritten by banks were incorrect and would be…
Russian and Mongolian central banks sign agreement
The central banks of Russia and Mongolia have signed an agreement on the settlement of accounts in foreign economic relations between the two countries, Gateway2Russia reported.
Norwegian July inflation drop fuels rate cut hopes
Prices fell 0.4% in Norway in the month to July, according to a report by AFP. The drop in inflation fuelled expectations of an interest cut when Norges Bank meets on Wednesday 13 August.
IMF warns Netherlands of risks to a recovery
The IMF has warned that substantial risks remained to economic recovery in the Netherlands, according to a report by Reuters. It forecast the economy could pick up from later this year and grow 1.4 percent in 2004.
Italian economy dips into recession
The Italian statistics agency Istat said gross domestic product in the euro zone's third-largest economy shrank for the second quarter in a row, putting Italy into a recession, according to Reuters.
Argentina's Lavagna sees draft IMF deal this week
Speaking last week on the three-year loan pact to replace a $6.8 billion IMF emergency agreement that expires on 31 August, Argentine Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna told reporters "The IMF is now working in Buenos Aires and probably we'll have…
Basel II 'could damage capital market liquidity'
The Securities Industry Association, which represents many of the world's largest securities firms, has written to the Basel committee warning that new rules "could have a detrimental impact on the liquidity of the capital markets", according to a report…
Bank of Japan sees 'virtually flat' economy
The Bank of Japan's August monthly report published on Monday 11 August said "economic activity remains virtually flat", according to Reuters, and on job conditions it said the situation remained tough although the number of people in work had stopped…
Swedes to reject euro, Nordea forecasts
Economists at Nordea have changed their forecast for the first time, according to Bloomberg, and now say Sweden will vote no in the 14 September euro referendum.
Zimbabwe gov't bans cash 'hoarding'
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe passed a law last week banning the hoarding of bank notes, according to a report by Reuters. The law bypassed parliament and one economist said he was "mystified" about how it would be applied.
Major shake-up looming at Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
The cash crisis in Zimbabwe is likely to result in a reshuffle in the next few weeks at the country's central bank, according to a report by the Zimbabwe Independent. It is understood the shake-up comes with the full blessing of President Robert Mugabe…
Slovenia not ready to join EU says France Arhar
Former governor of the central bank of Slovenia, France Arhar, said in an interview reported by the STA News Agency thathe didn't think Slovenia was ready to join the EU yet. If Slovenia wishes to catch up with the EU within ten years, its minimum growth…
Jordan c b unveils banking supervision plans
The Central Bank of Jordan plans to develop its banking supervision measures to include an early warning system and early corrective procedures, according to the Jordan Times. The system is based on examining certain criteria such as capital adequacy,…
Strikes may delay economic recovery: BOK chief
Bank of Korea (BOK) governor Park Seung said on Thursday 7 August that the central bank will keep a close eye on economic developments as there are both positive and negative signs present, reported the Korea Times. But if labour and risk management…
ECCB upgrades security features of currency
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank released plans on Wednesday to upgrade the security features of "its family of banknotes". Upgrades are being made to the security thread and the filigree foil features, the ECCB said, according to the Caribbean Media…