News/Monetary Policy
Reserve Bank of India rules out rates cut
The Reserve Bank of India Saturday admitted that the cost of borrowing is high, but ruled out a rate cut during this fiscal year as it has already softened.
Sudan central bank governor outlines fiscal policy
Governor of the Bank of Sudan Dr Sabir Muhammad al-Hasan Saturday held a press conference in the presence of the commercial banks' directors at which he reviewed the monetary and financial policies for the year 2001.
Castellanos views interest rates, currency band
Venezuela's central bank president Diego Luis Castellanos announced today that the institution would not impose controls over private banking interest rates.
BOJ board keeps monetary policy unchanged
The Bank of Japan said on Friday its policy board decided to continue its policy of driving the key overnight call rate to 0.25%, a decision widely expected by financial markets. The decision was by a majority vote.
Fed unlikely to cut rates - Washington Post
Faced with slowing economic growth and an uncertain short-term economic outlook, a number of Federal Reserve officials have concluded that the risk of serious weakness in the economy is as great as the risk that inflation will get worse, the Washington…
Interview: State Bank of Vietnam's Le Duc Thuy
Vietnam's central bank governor Le Duc Thuy discussed plans to develop the country's banking system in an interview with the local Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberation Saigon) Daily newspaper.
HKMA concerned about US economic slowdown risk
The head of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, one of the world's largest holders of foreign exchange, said he remained apprehensive about the risk of a downturn in the US economy, according to the Friday overseas edition of the Financial Times.
W. African Eco and Mon. Union summit ends in Mali
The fifth summit meeting of the West African Economic and Monetary Union [UEMOA] ended in Bamako this afternoon.
ECB keeps M3 benchmark unchanged
The European Central Bank has decided to leave its yardstick for euro area money supply growth unchanged. After the governing council meeting today, the ECB said that the evidence continues to support the assumptions underlying the derivation of the…
New EU treaty paves way for ECB voting change
The European Union's Nice treaty calls for a review of how votes are taken on the ECB's governing council, but does not provide for amending its composition, a draft text obtained by journalists on Wednesday said.
Spanish inflation sticks at 5-yr high in November
Spanish inflation rose to 4.1% annually in November, stuck around a near five-year high amid fears of a price-wage spiral and a civil sector protest over loss of purchasing power.
Bank of France predicts robust growth
Despite growing signs of a slowdown in the U.S. and sputtering growth in Germany, the French economy remains remarkably robust, economists say.
SNB must guard against currency appreciation-OECD
The monetary policy of the Swiss National Bank is currently appropriate for domestic economic conditions, but the SNB must monitor the effect of European Central Bank rate policy on exchange rates and guard against too sharp a rise in the Swiss franc…
ECB Vanhala says Eurozone inflation close to peak
European Central Bank governing council member Matti Vanhala on Thursday reiterated that the euro zone was close to its inflation peak but said the risks to price stability were still "upwards".
Uganda cenbank says to tighten monetary policy
Uganda's central bank on Thursday announced a rise in commercial bank reserve requirements from next week in a bid to stem inflationary pressures from the weakening shilling.
Duisenberg comments on Greek EMU entry
European Central Bank president Wim Duisenberg made the following comments at a news conference on Thursday concerning Greece's entry into the eurozone: "It is indeed an historic moment and a very satisfying and gratifying moment."
Dutch ctrl bk sees 2001 CPI 4.2%, a 17-year high
Dutch consumer prices are set to grow 4.2% in 2001, the highest growth level since 1983, the Dutch Central Bank said Wednesday in its quarterly report.
Norges Bank leaves key lending rates unchanged
Norges Bank, the Norwegian central bank, left its key lending rates unchanged as expected at Wednesday's regular monetary policy meeting and maintained a neutral stance regarding future decisions.
Bank of Sudan lowers reserves ratio
The governor of the Sudanese central bank, Mr Saber Mohammed Al-Mahdi, said that the Bank had decided to lower the cash reserves ratio in the local commercial banks from 15% to 10%.
Mercosur sets macroeconomic convergence targets
The Southern Cone Common Market, or Mercosur, on Wednesday announced macroeconomic convergence targets, including fiscal and inflationary goals, top officials said.
Strong growth unlikely soon,despite signs-CNB Tuma
Czech National Bank governor Zdenek Tuma said Wednesday that although the economy has exhibited many positive signs in the past year, strong growth is unlikely in the near term.
Lebanon Salameh sees great potential in economy
Lebanon's central bank governor Riad Salameh says he believes that the economy could see healthy growth next year if the country does not suffer from increased regional instability.
IMF X-rays Romanian economy
Romania's progress in reaching stability and continuing reforms is important but insufficient compared with other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, a report of the International Monetary Fund about Romania's economic evolution over the last two…
China WTO to boost HK banks, GDP growth - HKMA
China's looming entry into the World Trade Organisation will boost financial services and raise Hong Kong gross domestic product growth by upto 1%, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the territory's de facto central bank.