Growth
Lower inflation in LatAm threatened by debt, says World Bank’s Vegh
Public debt for Latin American region tops 50% of GDP
The IFF China Report 2018: The Belt and Road Initiative
China’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) now includes 71 countries, with trillions of dollars of investment allocated. Leading Chinese and international policymakers explain how BRI efforts are progressing. This section includes an inaugural…
The IFF China Report 2018: China’s opening-up and reform policy
The experiences of China’s opening-up and reform during the past 40 years, which includes a transition from an agricultural economy to one seeking to offer high-end manufacturing and services, offer valuable lessons to other nations seeking to pursue…
A route to economic growth – The Belt and Road Initiative 2018 survey
To mark the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the IFF – in collaboration with Central Banking – conducted its inaugural Belt and Road Survey of central banks from more than 25 countries and regions. The survey examines BRI…
The IFF China Report 2018: Post-financial crisis – A decade on
The Global Financial Crisis sparked Group of 20 countries to introduce tough new regulations on financial institutions and instruments. Yet the architecture of the global monetary, economic and financial system has many flaws. What lessons can China…
IMF analyses demographic and technological changes affecting productivity
IMF researchers say right policy choices can offset the negative impacts of technological and demographic changes
China's policy transmission increasingly similar to advanced economies – BIS paper
Authors say monetary policy surprises have “sizeable” effects on interest rates in China
RBA paper offers new way to add housing sector to DSGE models
Authors find their model delivers “reasonable” forecast performance
Growth in the digital economy has scrambled statistics – IMF paper
Countries may have been understating GDP growth, while overstating inflation, IMF analysis reveals, as digital products skew prices
Macro-prudential policies cool Sweden’s housing market
Private debt continues to increase, but loan-to-value ratios are falling
Bank of Mongolia gains greater independence under new law
Central bank had complained government and politically connected businessmen were too quick to dip into its funds
Bank of Ghana slashes rates as inflation moves towards target
Central bank continues an easing cycle that began in 2016, citing a “significant moderation in price pressures”
Technological change has contributed to low wage increases – Riksbank’s Skingsley
Monetary policy can respond by balancing high resource utilisation with price stability
Fed policy should become more neutral – Bostic
As the economy operates close to potential and inflation approaches target, rates can be raised, the Atlanta Fed president says
Yield curve can help improve forecasts – RBNZ economists
Yield curve information tends to improve forecasts of economic activity, researchers find
Book notes: Respectable banking, by Anthony Hotson
The author’s sensible goal of “respectable banking” is admirable, but the recommendations would not all help to achieve this
BoE on track for May rate hike
MPC votes 7-2 in favour of maintaining rates at 0.5% but leaves the door open for two potential rate hikes in 2018
Brazil nears end of easing cycle as rates hit fresh low
Committee signals there will likely be a pause in rate cuts soon, as inflation evolves “more benignly than expected”
Mongolian central bank opposes interest rate cap
Mongolia has some of the world’s highest interest rates, but the central bank warns caps are not the right solution
Powell strikes cautiously upbeat note in first policy press conference
Federal Open Market Committee shifts economic forecasts up marginally
Fehmi Mehmeti confirmed as Bank of Kosovo governor
Parliament narrowly votes to approve the interim governor for the full-time role
China to merge regulators and expand central bank’s role
The PBoC will gain key powers from the regulatory commissions and report to the key committee
SNB struggles to end ultra-loose policy regime
The Swiss central bank’s hopes of normalising policy are being held back by weak expectations, a strong currency and policy actions abroad
Norges Bank board strikes more bullish tone on outlook
Stronger signs from the economy prompt the central bank to bring forward plans for first hike; new inflation target will have limited effect on policy, central bank says