News
South Korea economy heads for slowdown
South Korea posted a strong growth rate of 9.2% in the third quarter, but analysts warn that the economy could begin looking much weaker in the fourth quarter because of increased bankruptcies for debt-heavy companies and resulting job losses.
Russia's gold reserves up on last week
Russia's gold and foreign currency reserves were $26.5bn on 17 November, up from $26bn on 10 November, the central bank said in a press release on Thursday.
IMF mission leaves Russia with no agreement
Russia is likely to get a frosty reception from the Paris Club of sovereign creditors after an International Monetary Fund mission left Moscow this week without reaching agreement.
Nigeria cenbank cuts lending rate to banks to 14%
The Central Bank of Nigeria announced on Thursday it had slashed its benchmark minimum rediscount rate (MRR) by 200 basis points to 14%, saying this reflected the low level of inflation in the West African country.
CNB board makes no policy change at meeting
The Czech central bank (CNB) said on Thursday its regular governing board meeting had ended and no monetary policy decisions had been taken.
Cuba tests new waters in foreign debt relief talks
Cuban envoys, testing uncharted waters, met foreign government representatives on Thursday to discuss what could amount to a landmark deal to alleviate the pain of Havana's crippling foreign debts.
NBS raps Slovak government for spending plans
The Slovak central bank (NBS) has raised its 2001 inflation forecast to between 6.8% to 7.7%, local news agency SITA reported on Thursday, citing an NBS document commenting on the government's 2001 budget proposal.
Argentina awaits emergency package from IMF
An emergency economic package required by the IMF will be passed in full within 30 days, Jose Luis Machinea, Argentina's economy minister, insisted on Thursday.
Norges Bank supports MeritaNordbanken's buy
The Norwegian central bank, Norges Bank, said Thursday it recommends to the Norwegian banking and insurance authority that Nordic Baltic Holding and its unit MeritaNordbanken (S.MNB) be allowed to acquire Christiania Bank og Kreditkassen (Y.CBK).
Timetable set for Bank Indonesia reform
The Indonesian parliament vowed Thursday to speed up deliberations on crucial changes of management and legal governance at the country's central bank.
Duma committee recommends FBK for cenbank audit
The Duma Banking Committee made a decision at a closed meeting today to recommend that the Duma approve the FBK company as a subcontractor of Deloitte & Touche for the audit of the central bank's annual report for 2000 at a session of the lower house on…
Chile Q3 GDP grew 5.8% in quarter - central bank
Gross domestic product (GDP) for Chile, which is recovering from a recession, grew 5.8% in the third quarter of this year versus the same period last year, the central bank said on Thursday.
Zambia October annual inflation up to 28.6%
Zambia's annual inflation rose to 28.6% in October from 27.7% in September and 25.9% in August, the Bank of Zambia said on Thursday. The figure was higher than the October inflation rate of 24.3% given by the Treasury earlier in the week.
SNB sees gold as good diversification tool
The Swiss National Bank still sees gold as a good tool to diversify its reserves even though the central bank is gradually selling off half its original holdings of the metal, SNB Chairman Hans Meyer said.
Manila c.bank sets body to check money laundering
The Philippines central bank said on Thursday it would set up a six-member committee to evaluate reports on suspicious bank transactions as part of its efforts to fight money laundering.
MP's criticised by BoE Governor
Bank of England Governor Eddie George has criticised MP's for being too aggressive when they select new members of the monetary policy committee. George thinks that MP's tactics could put-off good candidates from accepting a post with the MPC.
IMF warns Brown not to increase spending
The International Monetary Fund's report on the health of the UK economy, published yesterday by the Treasury, warned Gordon Brown, the UK Chancellor, that private spending needs to slow down before the economy can accommodate an increase in public…
Costa Rica to maintain exchange rate policy
Costa Rica's central bank said on Thursday it would continue with mini-devaluations of its currency against the dollar, despite complaints that it makes local business less competitive.
HKMA Yam on the future of the financial industry
Joseph Yam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, has written a number of articles in his regular column the HKMA website on the technological revolution now in full flood. In this week's column, he imagines what life might be like for the…
Russian and Iranian central banks sign agreement
Today, the central banks of Russia and Iran signed a collaboration agreement. The agreement outlines cooperation between the banks in developing trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Iran.
Taiwan central bank says forex policy unchanged
Taiwan's central bank said on Wednesday it would maintain its policy of "dynamic stability" in the foreign exchange market after surprisingly allowing the local dollar to fall to a 19-month low.
Zdenek Tuma likely to become new CNB chief
Zdenek Tuma will become the head of the Czech National Bank, according to information published in today's daily press, replacing Josef Tosovsky who moves to the BIS Financial Stability Institute as of December 1.
Italy MTS to adopt RTGS system soon
MTS SpA, Italy's secondary bond market operator, will soon adopt real-time gross settlement (RTGS) for bond operations to replace current end-of-day settlement, MTS deputy director general Ezio Dosa said on Wednesday.
Slovak central bank two day policy meeting
The board of the National Bank of Slovakia will hold a two-day meeting on current and 2001 monetary policy on Thursday and Friday, central bank spokesman Jan Onda said on Wednesday.