Economics
ECB Convergence Report May 2006
The European Central Bank (ECB) on Tuesday 16 May published a Convergence Report which has been prepared following requests for a country examination from Slovenia on 2 March 2006 and Lithuania on 16 March 2006.
Meister sees need for hedge funds code of conduct
Bundesbank board member Edgar Meister told the Financial Times in an interview that hedge funds should introduce a code of conduct to make the industry more transparent.
Interview with RBNZ's Alan Bollard
In comments published on Tuesday 16 May, Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Alan Bollard said he aims to ensure a soft landing for the economy while keeping inflation in check.
Bangladesh Bank - Annual Report 2004-2005
According to the Bangladesh Bank's Annual Report 2004-2005, during FY05 the Bangladesh economy was confronted with some serious challenges.
Yilmaz on central bank achievements in Turkey
In the speech 'Central bank achievements and opportunities in Turkey' given on 18 April Durmus Yilmaz of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey said turkey has grasped a golden opportunity to get rid of the damage created by inflation with which it…
Central banks are overshooters
It is the human condition to overshoot, especially on food and drink. But according to this article published Monday 15 May, central bankers can overshoot with the best of them too.
Macroeconomic policy challenges conference, Oct 06
The South African Reserve Bank invites you to attend its conference on Macroeconomic Policy Challenges for South Africa to be held from 22 - 24 October 2006.
Phil Fed's Survey of Professional Forecasters
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia published its Second Quarter 2006 Survey of Professional Forecasters on 15 May. Stronger growth in real GDP this year will come at the expense of weaker growth next year, according to 53 forecasters surveyed.
EU vetoes Lithuanian euro entry, endorses Slovenia
This article published Tuesday 16 May reports news that the European Union has turned down Lithuania's bid to adopt the euro, the first time a nation has been rejected since the common currency's creation in 1999. However, Slovenia has got the nod of…
No set course for rates says ECB's Noyer
Bank of France governor Christian Noyer said on Tuesday 16 May that the European Central Bank has not decided on a predetermined direction for eurozone interest rates and will consider the economic data.
Comment: The commodity boom revisited
A recent research note by Morgan Stanley chief economist, Stephen Roach, provides some interesting numbers on the extent and historical significance of the current commodity boom.
Comment: Inflation expectations
Ever since Milton Friedman's famous analysis of the "leads and lags" between interest rate changes and price- and output movements in 1961, the need for "forward-looking" monetary policy has been universally accepted.
Bahrain Monetary Agency - Annual Report 2004
According to the Bahrain Monetary Agency's Annual Report 2004, in 2004, the global economy experienced one of its strongest years of growth with overall global economic output rising by 5.1%.
Euro critical when Issing goes missing?
Sunday 14 May's Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung contained a portrait of ECB chief economist Otmar Issing under the headline "The preacher". Without Issing the euro could weaken considerably, it said.
How Bernanke's rate hikes could slam China
According to this article published Monday 15 May, China is realising the power of Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke on its way to ruling the global economy.
Economist says yuan should be allowed to rise 5%
China has to speed up the pace of yuan appreciation to 5 percent for this year and ease its huge foreign exchange surplus if it wants to keep domestic bank lending under control, government researcher Zhu Baoliang told reporters on Monday 15 May.
National Bank of Belarus - Annual Report 2004
According to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus's Annual Report 2004, the economic situation in 2004, on the whole, was characterised by a deceleration of inflationary and devaluation processes and higher rates of GDP growth.
ECB's Trichet on European financial integration
In the speech 'The process of European financial integration' given on 11 May Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said European financial integration still lags behind, particularly in retail banking and financial infrastructure services, despite the progress…
Comment: Flawed convergence criteria?
Willem Buiter and Anne Sibert, two London-based academics, have slammed the Maastricht criteria for entry into the eurozone. They point to a number of inconsistencies in way the conditions are applied and suggest that the current formulation "makes no…
ECB pledges price stability, oil risks worsen
The article "ECB bankers pledge price stability, oil risks worsen" published Thursday 11 May says that the oil shock threatens to push up core inflation in the eurozone, a danger the European Central Bank ignores at its peril.
Hungary's Jarai calls budget 'undisciplined'
Hungary's central bank governor launched a strongly worded attack on the budgetary management of Hungary's socialist prime minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany on Thursday 11 May.
Turkey to stick with floating lira
The governor of Turkey's central bank said Friday 12 May that the bank would maintain its floating currency system but was closely monitoring foreign currency market developments, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Shabibi says Iraq's reforms are on track
The governor of the central bank of Iraq said on Thursday 11 May that solid progress was being made in reforming the country's financial sector despite ongoing disruptions and that enough reserves existed to defend the currency.
Central Bank of Belize - Annual Report 2004
According to the Central Bank of Belize's Annual Report 2004, buoyancy in tourism, productivity gains in the primary sector, a resurgence in construction and manufacturing, as well as increases in real estate/ business and financial services generated…