South Africa
SARB Financial Stability Review, March 2006
The South African Reserve Bank published the March 2006 edition of its Financial Stability Review on 3 May. In its latest report the SARB said the global economy continued to expand strongly during the second half of 2005, albeit at a slightly more…
SARB launch Vision 2010 for payment system
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Thursday 20 April launched a document containing strategic guidelines for the national payment system.
SARB's Quarterly Bulletin, March 2006
The South African Reserve Bank published its March 2006 Quarterly Bulletin on 23 March. According to the latest Bulletin, a relatively benign international economic environment contributed to the improved prospects facing the South African economy in…
SARB slows forex buying
The Reserve Bank of South Africa slowed its buying of US dollars to $345m last month from $1,289bn in January, figures published Tuesday showed.
SARB's Mboweni blasts 'know-it-all' IMF
South African Reserve Bank governor, Tito Mboweni, slammed the IMF and World Bank on Tuesday 28 February for what he called their high handedness and know it all approach when dealing with developing countries.
Comment: Zimbabwe's mystery repayment
Two weeks ago the Zimbabwean government managed to avoid expulsion from the IMF by paying off a large chunk of its debt to the Fund. However, the source of the forex-depleted government's finances remains a mystery.
SADC central banks meet in Malawi
Central banks from the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) region are meeting at Ryalls Hotel in Malawi's commercial city of Blantyre to devise new laws that would be used as a benchmark for the standardization of central banks.
South African Reserve Bank - Annual Report 2005
According to the South African Reserve Bank's - Annual Report 2005, the 2004/05 financial year saw the balance sheet of the Bank increase by a significant margin, mainly as a result of the accumulation of foreign reserves.
Emerging market reserves grow in January
Recent data show significant increases in foreign exchange reserves in a number of emerging market economies in January. The Philippines gross international reserves hit an all-time high of $20.504 billion at the end of January on fresh government…
SARB's Mboweni highlights inflation risks
The South African Reserve Bank last week left the repurchase rate unchanged at 7%, but governor, Tito Mboweni, cautioning that robust domestic demand together with oil and food prices posed potential risks to the inflation outlook.
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…
Key appointments made as SARB restructures
As part of a restructuring process, two key appointments were announced by the South African Reserve Bank on Tuesday 31 January.
SARB's Quarterly Bulletin, December 2005
The South African Reserve Bank has released its December 2005 Quarterly Bulletin. According to the latest Bulletin, the world economy continued to enjoy robust economic growth in the first three quarters of 2005 and is likely to register real growth of…
BCEAO governor named as Cote D'Ivoire PM
The governor of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), Charles Konan Banny, has been named the new Prime Minister of the Cote D'Ivoire, formerly known as Ivory Coast.
Comment: Risks facing buoyant South Africa
As is the case in many emerging market economies, South Africa is yet to escape the perception that its economic fortunes are to a large extent dependent on the performance of its currency.
Mboweni's financial & economic review of the year
In the speech 'A financial and economic review of the year' given on 24 November Tito Mboweni of the South African Reserve Bank said global oil prices and domestic demand still posed "significant risks" to South Africa's inflation outlook, but so far…
UK's Brown says India, China to attend G7 meeting
China, India, Brazil and South Africa will attend part of the G7 finance ministers meeting this week, British finance minister Gordon Brown said on Monday 28 November.
Plenderleith to retire from SARB
South African Reserve Bank deputy governor Ian Plenderleith will retire at the end of his three-year contract on 31 December 2005, an SARB spokesperson was quoted as saying this week.
SARB's Mboweni on the rand and hot money outflows
In the speech 'How exposed is the rand to the potential outflow of hot money?' given on 21 November Tito Mboweni of the South African Reserve Bank said there are a number of indicators that provide some comfort that the South African economy is coping…
SARB may increase gold reserves
The South African Reserve Bank might increase its gold reserves, its head said Tuesday, but gave few details.
SARB's Mboweni on the rand
Governor Tito Mboweni yesterday said the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) favoured a "competitive" exchange rate. The country's mining and manufacturing sectors have struggled to adapt to an appreciating rand, since the currency rallied from historical…
All eyes on the rand
Inflation is on target, but the exchange rate still dominates economic debate, writes Malan Rietveld.
Drop exchange controls: SARB's Mboweni
South African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor raised some eyebrows on Wednesday evening, when he told a conference audience in Cape Town that the country's remaining foreign exchange controls have become "purposeless" should be abolished.
SARB publishes Monetary Policy Review
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) released its bi-annual Monetary Policy Review yesterday. It expects the main inflation rate to stay inside its 3-6 percent target range over the next two years, although the outlook has deteriorated because of high…