Economics
Dodge urges "urgent action" on imbalances
In this speech given in Bridgetown, Barbados on 6 February, 2006 the governor of the Bank of Canada, David Dodge, argues that the "need for urgent action has increased" with regard to reducing the risks to the global economy posed by global imbalances.
Slovenians happy with Commission's findings
The Slovenia's finance minister and central bank have expressed their satisfaction with the European Commission's upbeat assessment of the country's preparations for joining the euro.
New book on South Africa from the IMF
The International Monetary Fund has published a new book entitled, "Post-Apartheid South Africa: The First Ten Years". The authors, Michael Nowak and Luca Ricci, argue that "in successfully navigating the transition from apartheid to democracy, the…
Fed's Fischer on global growth dynamics
In this speech given at the Institute of Economic Affairs in London on February 6, 2006, the president of the Dallas Fed, Richard W. Fisher, suggests that the United States will remain the growth engine for the global economy for some time to come.
IMF's Rato on global imbalances
In a speech at the University of California at Berkeley last week the International Monetary Fund's managing director, Rodrigo de Rato, said the United States should "tackle its current account deficit by increasing domestic saving". Reducing the fiscal…
Trichet on the benefits of flexibility
In this speech given at the Institute of Economic Affairs in London on February 6, 2006, the president of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, outlined three main reasons why structural reforms across Europe need to speeded up.
Bernanke's remarks at swearing-in ceremony
Ben Bernanke made some brief remarks after being sworn in as chairman of the US Federal Reserve by president, George W Bush, on February 6, 2002.
Comment: Slovenia set for the euro
The ringing endorsement Slovenia recently received from the European Commission and its economic and monetary affairs commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, underlines the growing consensus that the country will be the next member of the eurozone. However, like…
Bank of Sudan - Annual Report 2003
According to the Bank of Sudan's Annual Report 2003, the year saw a number of economic, financial and monetary developments both on the international and domestic levels.
Interview with ECB's Bini Smaghi
In a recent interview, Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, said that unless private consumption picks up there will be no sustained growth. The high price of oil is an important factor, as it is taking away…
Rato at the farewell dinner for Alan Greenspan
In remarks at the farewell dinner for Alan Greenspan on 24 January (published 2 Feb) IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato said there are many reasons to envy Alan: not just his economic savvy and ability to move financial markets with a few well-chosen…
New Fed chair has passion for equations
This article published on Thursday 2 February takes an in-depth look at Ben Bernanke. The new Fed chief, it says, wants to strip away some of the mystery of the Fed and come out with an inflation range to aim for over the medium or long term.
IMF plans to strengthen financial market work
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the IMF announced proposals on Wednesday 1 February to strengthen the Fund's financial and capital market work by creating a new department that will be a center of excellence for all aspects of financial, capital…
Doha conference calls for regional central bank
A two-day conference on enriching the economics of the Middle East region, held in Doha this week, ended with a call for the creation of a regional central bank.
Comment: EMU and market discipline
A recent research note by the Brussels-based Centre for European Policy Studies pours cold water on the idea that Italy could crash out of the European Monetary Union (EMU) any time soon. The key to this conclusion lies in the amount of euro-dominated…
Sveriges Riksbank Annual Report 2004
According to the Sveriges Riksbank's Annual Report 2004, despite firm economic growth, inflation has remained low. In terms of the CPI and UNDIX inflation was 0.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively, in 2004.
Wolfowitz's moves rankle World Bank staff
According to this recent article, Paul Wolfowitz is sending shock waves through the World Bank as he begins exerting his influence. Critics say Wolfowitz has centralized his authority through an inner circle of advisors mostly from the Pentagon and White…
Common North American currency a tempting idea
The concept of a common North American currency is a tempting idea, according to this article published on Tuesday 31 January. The objections will be more patriotic than economic, it says.
Greenspan goes out with final jab at inflation
The Federal Reserve's decision to increase interest rates again left open the possibility of another increase next month in a smooth handoff of the Fed policy baton from Greenspan to Ben Bernanke, this article published on Wednesday 1 February says.
Canada's Jenkins on global economic trends
In the speech 'Global economic trends: Implications for Canada' given on 1 February Paul Jenkins of the Bank of Canada said the Bank of Canada sees room for "some modest further increase" in interest rates as the economy runs at its production capacity,…
Draghi flies a different course
Italy has all it needs to resolve its own problems and can look towards a bright future, Bank of Italy Governor Mario Draghi said on Thursday 2 February. Draghi also emphasised he would take a different approach to that of former governor Antonio Fazio.
Merkel looks to Buba for chief economic advisor
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has recruited a top Bundesbank economist, Jens Weidmann, to advise her in economic matters, a German government spokesman said on Wednesday 1 February.
BoE legal eagle set to retire
According to the Guardian's City diary, Malcolm Glover would have retired from the Bank of England at the end of 2004 had it not been for the litigation brought by the BCCI liquidators.
BoJ's Muto: Conditions not met for policy shift
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto said on Thursday 2 February it was still too early to abandon the bank's ultra-loose policy despite recent increases in consumer prices.