Monetary Policy
Riksbank's Persson on monetary policy
In a speech on 'Monetary policy and labour supply' Kristina Persson of the Sveriges Riksbank said monetary policy cannot directly affect production's potential, long-term growth rate. However, it can indirectly lay the foundation for a good development…
Japan's PM says 1-2 % inflation good for economy
Junichiro Koizumi said at the weekend that rises of around one to two per cent annually would benefit the economy and price falls are not "desirable", Reuters reports.
EU central bankers may face EFC sidelining
A proposal has been made to exclude central bankers from some discussions of the influential Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), according to a report from Online. The proposal is designed to prevent the EFC from becoming unwieldy after 10 more…
Fed's Parry: Fed has room to cut rates if needed
San Francisco Fed president Robert Parry, a voting member of the FOMC, has said the Federal Reserve still has room to lower interest rates "if things weren't coming together in the economy", according to Dow Jones.
Greenspan's surgery successful, says US Fed
Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has undergone surgery. The Fed said on Tuesday April 22 that the operation was successful and he should be back in his office later this week, according to a Reuters report.
Bush in favour of another term for Greenspan
US president Bush has said he backs Alan Greenspan for reappointment as chairman of the Federal Reserve. Bush is quoted by the Financial Times as telling reporters "I think Alan Greenspan should get another term".
Bank of England minutes show 2 votes for rate cut
Minutes of the Bank of England's April meeting show two members of the MPC voted for interest rate cuts and the committee signalling next month's meeting could be crucial for the direction of interest rates, as members would have various new data…
Central Bank of Malta - Annual Report 2002
The Central Bank of Malta has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2002.
RBZ staff boycott canteen over food quantity
Tensions are rising at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe after complaints about the food served in the staff canteen, according to All Africa News. Angry workers have called for the caters to be replaced after food portions were cut prompting the majority of…
Bank of Canada Monetary Policy Report Apr.03
The Bank of Canada on Wednesday April 23 released its April 2003 Monetary Policy Report. In the report the bank cut its growth forecast for the year and said the potential impact of the SARS virus creates additional uncertainty for this country's economy…
P. Jenkins new deputy governor of Bank of Canada
In his opening statement at the launch of the Bank of Canada's Monetary Policy Report, David Dodge introduced Paul Jenkins, the new Senior Deputy Governor at the Bank. Dodge said his deep understanding of the bank and its staff, as well as economics,…
Norges Bank's Gjedrem on the Norwegian economy
In a speech on 'Monetary policy, inflation and the outlook for the Norwegian economy' Svein Gjedrem of Norges Bank said in spite of the interest rate cuts and a stimulatory central government budget, overall economic policy has been tight because the…
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Apr 2003
The region's manufacturers report weaker activity for the second consecutive month in April's Business Outlook Survey from the Philadelphia Fed. Indexes of general activity, new orders, and shipments all declined this month. Firms surveyed also reported…
UK tests for joining the euro
An article in the Financial Times suggests the UK government's assessment of whether the economic tests for membership of the euro have been passed will be important, even though it is widely expected that the tests will not have been passed. The…
Ukraine's Tyhypko sums up 100 days in office
The chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine, Serhiy Tyhypko, has spoken of his first 100 days in office, reports the Zerkalo Nedeliu website, Kiev. He said it was "difficult to give a definitive answer" when asked whether he would be involved in the…
Thailand's central bank keeps its key rates steady
The Bank of Thailand kept its main interest rate unchanged on Monday 21 April at 1.75%, acording to the Bangkok Post. An assistant governor of the central bank said the impact of the Sars virus on the economy remained uncertain.
Iran c bank chairman to be appointed on 27 April
Iran's finance minister will announce the name of the new governor of the central bank of Iran at a Sunday session of the cabinet meeting to be held 27 April, according to the IRNA news agency.
Turkey: cb governor briefs cabinet re Iraq
The governor of the central bank of Turkey has briefed the Council of Ministers on the economic situation and the impact on the Turkish economy of the recent conflict in Iraq, according to a report on TRT 2 TV in Turkey, Reduced uncertainly, he said,…
Duisenberg to stay at ECB until successor ready
ECB president Wim Duisenberg has formally agreed to stay on at the euro zone central bank until a successor is ready to take over the role, according to a Reuters report.
Bank of France to get public service contract
A draft contract covering the Bank of France's public service obligations for the period 2003-2006 has been drawn up, according to Le Monde. This is the first such contract to be drawn up by the central bank and the state.
UK ministers may fight Brown on euro vote
According to the Financial Times, a member of Tony Blair's cabinet has indicated his determination to oppose any attempt by the chancellor to rule out a referendum on the euro by saying publicly the pound had fallen to levels that would make British…
Welteke - A European perspective on world economy
In a speech on 'A European perspective on the world economy' Ernst Welteke of the Deutsche Bundesbank said uncertainty currently weighs on all debates on economic issues. Uncertainty is a feature we will have to live with for some time now, but we must…
Ferguson on Check Clearing for the 21st Century
In testimony 'Check Clearing for the Twenty-first Century Act' Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said although an increasing number of payments are being made electronically, it is clear that checks will continue to play an important role in the…
ECB's Solans on the international role of the euro
In a speech on 'The international role of the euro in a globalised economy' Eugenio Domingo Solans of the European Central Bank said the euro is firmly established as the second most important currency in global markets and that although the ECB sees the…