policymakers

Russia’s improving economy leaves privatization out in the cold

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

Russia’s improving economy has removed the main impetus for privatizations planned for this year, allowing policymakers who always doubted the wisdom of selling state assets to re-gain the upper hand, according to interviews with multiple officials. Russia’s finance ministry initially planned to raise 138 billion roubles from privatization this year, mainly from selling a stake in the shipping company SovcomflotRead more

Talk of higher US interest rates raises prospect of stronger dirham

Dubai - ArabToday

US policymakers have raised the prospect of a further rise in interest rates "fairly soon" in a move that could lead to a stronger dirham. Minutes of the most recent Federal Reserve rate setting meeting, released late on Wednesday, raised expectations that the next rise in rates will come before the summer. That could provide further support to the dollarRead more

China to tighten oversight of company debt, bank assets

Beijing - Arab Today

China’s central bank said on Friday it plans to tighten up its oversight in a range of areas including corporate debt and bank assets, as policymakers fret over fast-rising leverage and the risk of asset bubbles in the rapidly growing economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) also said it will keep the yuan currency basically stable while maintaining aRead more

Japan’s exports fall 7.4% in June

Tokyo - Arab Today

Japan's exports fell less than expected in June in a tentative sign that overseas demand could be recovering from persistent weakness that set in last year. Slowing decline in exports could ease concerns for Japan's policymakers as they try to revive growth via stimulus spending on infrastructure after their structural reform plans failed to deliver hoped-for results. "Exports are showingRead more

South Korea, Japan to Hold Finance Ministers' Meeting in Seoul

Seoul - QNA

The top economic policymakers of South Korea and Japan will have a meeting next month to discuss various economic and financial issues over the two neighboring countries, the finance ministry here said Wednesday. "The economic authorities of South Korea and Japan have decided to hold the seventh finance ministers' meeting on August 27 in Seoul," the Ministry of Strategy andRead more

BOJ makes contingency plans if UK exits European Union

Tokyo - Arab Today

Japanese policymakers are in frequent contact with European counterparts on how to soothe markets if Britain votes to leave the European Union, with the first line of defense aimed at preventing a shortage of dollar liquidity. The Bank of Japan is ready to offer dollar funds to domestic banks via auctions if a so-called Brexit scares investors into hoarding theRead more