Central Banking
IMF gold deal unlikely says Germany
German Deputy Finance Minister Caio Koch-Weser has said he sees almost no chance a plan to sell International Monetary Fund gold to fund debt relief for the world's poorest nations would be adopted.
The econometrics of macroeconomic modelling
Four researchers who are affiliated with the Research Department in Norges Bank have published a book on empirical macroeconomic modelling. The book has its origin in empirical research on inflation which has been carried out in Norges Bank over the past…
Fed's Geithner on economic policy and productivity
In a speech on 'Economic policy and the sustainability of US productivity growth' given on 12 April, Timothy Geithner of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said imbalances in the US fiscal and current accounts could hurt future investment, productivity…
Dodge on Canada and global economic forces
In a speech on 'How Canada is adjusting to global economic forces' given on 15 April, David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said that the Canadian economy is adjusting to powerful global forces and explained what the central bank is doing to help the…
When will China loosen its peg?
This article says that China was likely to have been conspicuous by its absence at the G7 gathering in Washington on the weekend of 16-17 April. Beijing is moving at its own pace on currency reform, it says, and it would seem just a matter of time before…
PBOC's Xiaoling on informal financing
In the speech 'Relax control on informal financing to promote resource allocation' given on 17 February (published 18 April), Wu Xiaoling of the People's Bank of China said China's financial sector is not flexible enough to accommodate the relatively…
UK's Brown rejects IMF recommendations
The Statement by the IMFC, the Fund's governing body, released on SaturdayApril 16 calls for surveillance by the Fund over all countries to remaincentral to its work.
G7 communique from Washington meeting
The financial ministers and central bankers of the Group of Seven nations met in Washington on Saturday 16 April. Their statement repeated a call for "more flexibility in exchange rates" where it was lacking.
ECB: Many years before euro can challenge dollar
A top European Central Bank policy-maker said on Friday 15 April that the process of acquiring an international role for a currency is extremely slow.
Trichet sees no cut in eurozone interest rates
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet has ruled out a cut in eurozone interest rates but suggested that the cost of borrowing was unlikely to rise either, saying inflation was under control.
G7 losing patience on China's exchange rate
The G7 retained the same official language following its meeting in Washington at the weekend, but the rich nations' frustration over China's fixed currency regime was evident in comments from various policymakers.
Interview with PBOC's Zhou
In an interview published on Wednesday 13 April PBOC governor Zhou Xiaochuan said the task in future is mainly centered on improving the mechanism in the shaping of the people's currency exchange rate rather than simply adjusting the rate of it.
Interview with outgoing World Bank president
James Wolfensohn, who steps down at the end of May after 10 years at the World Bank, said in an interview this week that the institution's controversial selection process had contributed to a "dangerous trend of regionalisation of opinion" on the bank's…
Interview with Philadelphia Fed's Santomero
Speaking this week in an interview Anthony Santomero, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, said we are looking at an economy that, if it continues to move in the direction and at the speed we think, we can continue to move on…
Norman Chan to retire from HKMA
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced on Tuesday 12 April that Norman Chan, the Deputy Chief Executive responsible for reserves management and international affairs, will be departing from the HKMA some time in May.
The art of central banking
The Turkish central bank has released a two-volume book introducing Turkish artists and their works that comprise the central bank's art collection.
Richmond Fed names new Senior Vice President
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond named Dave Beck senior vice president and branch manager of the Baltimore Office on 14 April.
Paraguay's central bank president 'confirmed'
Dr Monica Perez has been confirmed by Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte as the first female central bank president. However, she must still be formally approved by the Senate.
Somali premier appoints central bank governor
The prime minister of Somalia, Ali Muhammad Gedi, appointed Bashir Ise Ali as the central bank governor at a cabinet meeting held in Nairobi on 12 April.
CNB's Tuma: Central bankers - a strategic overview
In the speech 'Central bankers - a strategic overview' given on 22 March, Zdenik Tma of the Czech National Bank said the main message we can learn from history is that price stability as the ultimate goal of monetary policy is not in contradiction with…
IMF's Krueger on the challenge of economic policy
In the speech 'Bismarck's warning: The challenge of economic policy reform in the twenty-first century' given on 5 April, Anne Krueger of the IMF said in many respects, the global economic environment is unusually favourable at present. The prospects for…
Rosenberg: Why is Swedish inflation so low?
In the speech 'Why is Swedish inflation so low?' given on 13 April, Irma Rosenberg of the Sveriges Riksbank said that Sweden's current low inflation rate was being driven by supply factors which are favourable to Sweden's economic performance and are…
Fed's Kohn on the economic outlook
In a speech on 'Economic outlook' given on 14 April, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said bond buyers should beware of faster than expected interest rate increases.
ECB's Papademos on the euro and economic growth
In a speech on 'The euro and economic growth' given on 15 April, Lucas Papademos of the ECB said the structural impediments to the euro area's growth must be addressed by implementing appropriate structural measures. There are no alternative solutions…