Asia-Pacific
Optimal reserve levels in emerging markets
The International Monetary Fund Working Paper "The optimal level of international reserves for emerging market countries: Formulas and applications" presents a model of the optimal level of international reserves for a small open economy that is…
IMF paper on currency unions
Against the background of the theory of optimum currency areas, the IMF paper "Beauty queens and wallflowers - Currency unions in the Middle East and Central Asia" analyzes possible sequences for establishing a currency union (CU) in the Middle East and…
Where did market volatility go?
In this editorial, published Thursday 5 October by The Korea Herald, former IMF chief economist Kenneth Rogoff says an uneerie calm has engulfed virtually every major asset class, from stocks to bonds.
An Asian currency - a bridge too far
This article published on Friday 29 September by the Asia Times Online looks at the idea of the "Asian Currency Unit" which has been touted as a possible solution to the global imbalance dilemma.
Interview with Bank of England's Alastair Clark
In an interview with The Asian Banker, published Wednesday 27 September, Alastair Clark, adviser to the governor of the Bank of England, says the UK's "super regulator" model would not necessarily suit the current Chinese banking system.
Hedge funds take backseat to Asian central banks
According to this article from Bloomberg, published Friday 15 September, hedge funds are taking a backseat to Asian central banks.
Summers: Central banks should make reserves work
Developing countries hold $2 trillion in excess reserves, but make almost no profit on the money, former U.S. Treasury secretary Lawrence Summers said on Thursday 14 September.
SEA-LAC central bank governors' meeting begins
Central Bank Governors from South East Asia (SEA), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) gathered Friday 15 September for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, for the inaugural SEA-LAC Central Bank Governors' Meeting.
IMF says risk of 'disorderly' drop in dollar
A ``disorderly'' drop in the dollar is the biggest risk to world financial markets, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday 12 September.
U.S., China must back IMF, end currency impasse
According to this article by Bloomberg, published Thursday 7 September, the International Monetary Fund which set up the system of flexible exchange rates needs to infuse it with a dose of vigour.
Stanley Fischer on the new economic powers
The governor of the Bank of Israel, Stanley Fischer, discusses the political and economic implications of the rise of Asian economies.
How cashless payments will reshape Asian commerce
Sayan Pariwat makes the case for electronic payments in economies where cash is still king
Nijathaworn on East Asian financial markets
In the speech 'East Asian financial markets: Some thoughts on the way forward' given on 22 June Bandid Nijathaworn of the Bank of Thailand said financial market development in East Asia has essentially been left to the market.
ACU calls for new members
The Asian Clearing Union (ACU) concluded its two-day technical committee meeting Wednesday 19 July calling for the admission of countries beyond the ESCAP Asia/Pacific region.
ACU to discuss payment systems efficiency
Members of the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) will meet in Dhaka this week to discuss ways to make their payment systems easier to use to boost trade, a Bangladesh central bank official told Reuters.
ECB's Bini Smaghi on global imbalances
In the speech 'European and Asian perspectives on global imbalances' given on 14 July Lorenzo Bini Smaghi of the ECB said for the euro area, Asia has now become a more important trade partner than the US.
Review of the Asian Bond Fund 2 Initiative
The Bank of Japan has announced that the EMEAP (Executives' Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Banks) Working Group on Financial Markets has released a report titled "Review of the Asian Bond Fund 2 Initiative."
HKMA's Yam on East Asian financial markets
In the speech 'East Asian financial markets - The next frontier' given on 22 June Joseph Yam of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said the successful experience of Asian Bond Fund has laid a strong foundation for enhanced regional cooperation by central…
Common currency basket in the 'ASEAN plus three'
East Asian countries, for example "ASEAN plus three countries" (China, Korea, and Japan), have been well cognizant of importance of the regional financial cooperation since the Asian currency crisis in 1997, according to the Discussion Paper "Adopting a…
Buba's Remsperger on global imbalances
In the speech 'Global imbalances and policy implications' given on 9 May Hermann Remsperger of the Deutsche Bundesbank said the build-up of currency reserves in some Asian countries has now lost momentum.
New Zealand hosts EMEAP central bank governors
Central bank governors from major countries in the region gathered in New Zealand over the weekend to discuss common issues, Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Alan Bollard said Monday 29 May.
Bank of Canada Review, Spring 2006
The Bank of Canada published its Review for Spring 2006 on 25 May. The Review includes the article 'Global imbalances - Just how dangerous?' which provides a guide to the major issues and controversies involved in the debate.
Knight on Asia, the dollar & global imbalances
In the speech 'Asia, the US dollar and global imbalances' given on 18 May Malcolm Knight of the BIS said global imbalances in current account deficits and budget deficits are "not sustainable".
MAS says common Asian currency unlikely soon
A top official from the Monetary Authority of Singapore has said that the establishment of a common Asian currency is unlikely to be realised in the near term.