Articles by Arvid Ahlund
Senior deputy plays down Indonesia’s external debt burden
Mirza Adityaswara says debt burden safer than it looks; defends mandate requiring domestic deals be made in rupiah and admits loan rates "probably too high" at Hong Kong conference
PBoC sets up renminbi internationalisation research centre in Singapore
The new Centre for Renminbi Internationalisation Studies (CRIS), launched today in Beijing, is a prestige victory for Singapore as it aims to position itself as a leading international RMB hub
China relaxes QFII limits amid calls for capital controls
FX regulator shortens ‘lock-up’ period, during which foreign investors must wait before repatriating funds, from one year to three months
Kuroda insists there is ‘no limit’ to monetary easing
BoJ governor calls combination of QQE and negative interest rates the ‘most powerful' framework in 'history of modern central banking’ and argues there is space for more easing if need be
BoJ slashes key rate below zero in contentious decision
Kuroda mulls further cuts as central bank intensifies battle against 'deflationary mind-set' in 5-4 vote; yen drops as inflation forecast revised down
Analysts see Hong Kong peg under scrutiny
Hong Kong dollar reached lowest level in nearly a decade this week, putting long-standing peg ‘under fresh scrutiny' and prompting fears of possible attack
Zeti warns of ‘immense' challenges in 2016
Bank Negara Malaysia governor warns of potentially persistent threats to long-term growth at the AFF conference in Hong Kong, but sees a silver lining if policy-makers get it right
PBoC imposes reserve requirements on offshore deposits for first time
New measure designed to curb CNH short-selling and shows PBoC determination to stabilise offshore market in wake of recent gyrations, analysts suggest
HKMA hikes rates as Asia takes Fed decision in stride
Hong Kong raises rates for first time in over nine nears as regional markets remain calm; Norman Chan warns of capital outflows and ‘possible shocks' ahead
IMF approves renminbi as SDR currency as questions raised on hedging
Lagarde reveals executive board's decision to include renminbi in basket; inclusion raises questions on whether to hedge exposure to Chinese currency
China permits central banks to trade forex derivatives based on Isda agreements
China allows derivatives trading based on international standard agreement for the first time; applies only to sovereign investors and foreign exchange derivatives
HKMA promotes 'entirely paperless' e-cheques in PR push
Central bank to raise awareness through multimedia infomercials ahead of December 7 launch; e-cheques will lead Hong Kong into new era of electronic payments, says HKMA deputy
Bank Indonesia asks citizens to 'show rupiah some love'
Central bank arranges festival to 'nurture feelings of affection' for currency and encourage Indonesians to start using e-money instead of cash
Lagarde declares support for RMB inclusion in SDR basket
IMF managing director endorses inclusion in currency basket after staff report deems Chinese currency 'freely usable'; executive board decision expected on November 30
Asia’s Basel III woes
New bank capital rules are bridling Association of Southeast Asian Nations banks with regulations tailored to European and American risk profiles, and may be contributing to a slowdown in growth
PBoC monetary policy reform could be 'trial and error', economists warn
The Chinese central bank wrapped up a two-decade long interest rate liberalisation process last month – now the hard job begins
BoJ holds QQE fire but pushes back inflation forecast
Bank of Japan leaves asset purchase programme unchanged despite downward revision of outlook; central bank now predicts inflation target will be reached in second half of fiscal 2016
ADB cuts China growth forecast to lowest in generation
Asian Development Bank revises down growth projection for 2015 to 6.8% but says talk of Chinese collapse is overblown
China eases restrictions on overseas borrowing
Move allows companies to raise funds in both local and foreign currency without state permission and could help offset record capital outflows, but analysts say short-term impact is likely to be limited
Difficult liquidity conditions are here to stay, say Asia conference panellists
Gapping moves in spot markets and higher prices for clients in FX derivatives are here to stay, as banks pull back from market-making in non-core currencies, panellists warn
Access to interbank FX market could spur central bank demand for China bonds
PBoC says foreign central banks will be allowed to trade derivatives in interbank FX market; move to underpin greater interest in China's interbank bond market, says analyst
BoJ predicted to expand QQE, within limits
Analysts are predicting the Bank of Japan will increase asset purchases next month, but researchers are warning of speed bumps ahead
PBoC sets daily RMB fix at four-year low
Central bank move comes two days after China premier said currency was at ‘equilibrium'; one analyst expects ‘more depreciation down the road'
Renminbi ‘fix' lowered as stock market nosedives
Central bank lowers renminbi midpoint value by most since devaluation two weeks ago; some analysts point to decision to halt FX interventions on Monday