News
BoJ preparing for RTGS start on January 4
The Bank of Japan has been preparing for the introduction of the new RTGS system to the BOJ-NET, the Bank's on-line system for the settlement of funds and the Japanese government securities.
Fed policy shift stirs debate on economic policy
The Federal Reserve's warning on Tuesday that the economy was rapidly losing steam stirs the pot in a simmering debate between the Clinton administration and President-elect George W. Bush's team about whether a new prescription for growth is needed.
Bank of Israel- No need to import hi-tech workers
The Bank of Israel said yesterday it objects to bringing engineers and software technicians from India to Israel in attempt to fill the shortage in skilled workers in the hi-tech industry.
Canada's Martin mum on central bank chief
Canada's finance minister Paul Martin on Tuesday refused to shed any light on who the government will choose as the next governor of the country's central bank.
MAS can ease rupiah woes, says Gus Dur
Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid said that he disagreed with Singapore's senior minister Lee Kuan Yew over the role the Monetary Authority of Singapore could play in stopping commercial banks from speculating on the rupiah.
Guatemala considers legalising limited dollar use
Weeks after El Salvador adopted the dollar as one of its currencies, Guatemala's Congress was considering a similar plan Monday, the Associated Press reported.
Paraguay cbank sees 1%-1.5% GDP growth in 2000
Paraguay's economy is expected to have grown 1%-1.5% by the end of 2000, according to preliminary data, the country's central bank president Washington Ashwell said Tuesday.
Mexico's Ortiz sees Dec CPI affected by US weather
Bank of Mexico Governor guillermo Ortiz warned Tuesday that December inflation will be higher than expected as key vegetable prices soared on the cold spell across the US.
Speculators eroding Nigerian naira's value-c.bank
The Central Bank of Nigeria said on Tuesday it had provided a total of $6.7 billion in funding for the domestic foreign exchange market this year but that speculators had robbed the economy of the benefits.
Cameroon to go it alone with national bourse
Cameroon has announced the creation of a national stock exchange, just days after Central African leaders chose Libreville in Gabon rather than Cameroon's economic capital of Douala as the seat for a regional bourse.
S'pore names health min Lim as MAS deputy chairman
The Monetary Authority of Singapore, the city state's central bank, said on Tuesday that Health Minister Lim Hng Kiang has been appointed deputy chairman with effect from January.
Ireland vulnerable to inflation, slowdown
Ireland's central bank on Tuesday issued its sternest warning yet about the inflation dangers facing Europe's fastest-growing economy and said the country was increasingly vulnerable to a sharp slowdown.
Zambia c.bank sets forex controls to help kwacha
Zambia's central bank introduced limited foreign exchange controls on Tuesday to stem the decline in its currency this year, drawing swift protests from companies in the country.
Romania PM to return to c.bank, pressure to resign
Romania's outgoing Prime Minister Mugur Isarescu said on Tuesday he would return to his former job as governor of the central bank despite opposition from the new government.
Estonia cbank, govt clash over draft watchdog bill
The Estonian central bank on Tuesday expressed concern over government approval earlier in the day of a draft bill, aimed at merging the securities, banking and insurance watchdogs into one financial inspectorate from January 2002.
Bank of France warns banks on telecoms exposure
The Bank of France warned French banks about their exposure to Europe's heavily-indebted telecoms companies on Tuesday, adding its voice to a chorus of concerned regulators and central bankers.
Polish parliament backs Balcerowicz for c.bank
Poland's Sejm public finance committee on Tuesday voted in favour of the candidacy of Leszek Balcerowicz for head of the Polish central bank.
Ukraine c.bank mulls relaunching currency futures
Ukraine may relaunch its currency futures market next year but the central bank will still hold the foreign exchange market in a tight grip, a senior central bank official said on Tuesday.
Austrian central bank expects record 2000 profit
Austrian central bank expects to post a record profit in the region of Sch 22bn in 2000. Of this figure, around Sch 18bn will be transferred to the federal government in the form of a dividend. This compares with a profit of Sch 18bn in 1999.
EDS, Orga win Austrian gov't smartcard contract
The Austrian government yesterday provisionally awarded a much delayed smart card contract to US-based Electronic Data Systems Corp and German chipcard manufacturer Orga Kartensysteme. The smart cards will be issued to the approximately eight million…
BOJ's Hayami says Japan recovery stalling
Improvement in Japanese corporate sentiment has stalled and the nation's economic recovery has slowed, the nation's central bank chief said on Tuesday, confirming what financial markets have suspected for weeks.