Day: March 20, 2024

China

Rebecca Patterson, formerly with Bridgewater Associates LP, highlighted that central banks in China, Russia, and Turkey increased their gold reserves to reduce dependence on the

China

China announced its largest mortgage rate cut since 2019, reducing the five-year loan prime rate by 25 bps to 3.95%. This move, intended to support

India

IIFL Finance Ltd. in India plans to raise around USD 400 mln through the sale of three-year notes in its first dollar USD issuance in

China

Malaysia’s central bank attributed the ringgit’s depreciation to external factors, stating it did not reflect Malaysia’s economic prospects. Influences included U.S. interest rate changes, geopolitical

Azerbaijan

Turkish President Erdogan has highlighted a “historic window of opportunity” for lasting peace in the Southern Caucasus following Azerbaijan’s restoration of its territories last year.

Serbia

Serbia reported attracting EUR 4.2 bln in net FDI last year, a slight decrease from EUR 4.33 bln the previous year. The central bank noted

Russia

Uzbekistan’s gas transportation system operator, JSC Uztransgaz, plans to modernize its main gas pipelines to boost gas imports from Russia, with a projected investment of

Israel

Israel’s GDP experienced a nearly 20% contraction in Q4 2023 due to the Gaza war, far exceeding analyst expectations of around a 10% decrease. The

Rwanda

South Africa is leading a regional deployment into the DR Congo’s eastern region to address a conflict displacing 7 million people. The operation, part of

Egypt

Egypt is hopeful that a deal with the IMF will address its foreign currency crisis and allow it to settle outstanding dues with foreign oil

Morocco

Morocco secured a USD 188 mln loan from the AfDB to support the construction of three desalination plants powered by renewable energy, announced by the

Cote d’Ivoire

Mozambique’s annual inflation rate declined to 4.19% in January from 5.3% in December, hinting at a potential short-term easing of inflationary pressures. Separately, Ivory Coast’s

South Africa

South Africa’s unemployment rate increased to 32.1% in Q4 2023 as job cuts in the social services and agriculture sectors took their toll, rising from

Tanzania

According to Tanzania’s central bank, the economic outlook for 2024 remains optimistic, with projected growth rates of approximately 5.5% for the mainland and 7.4% for

Tunisia

Tunisia’s FX reserves dropped to 105 days of imports (TND 23 bln) from 119 days as of February 16, following the repayment of an EUR

Bolivia

Bolivia’s finance minister announced a series of measures to ease FX market tensions and bolster economic activity. These include lifting export restrictions, simplifying export tax

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic’s ruling PRM party achieved a significant victory in the municipal elections, securing 75% of the total with 99.0% of votes counted. This

Jamaica

Jamaica’s central bank held its benchmark interest rate at 7% for the tenth consecutive session, focusing on FX market stability. Despite headline inflation in January

Paraguay

Paraguay’s central bank lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 bps to 6.25%, marking the seventh cut since August as inflation remained below 4% YoY.

Peru

Peruvian Finance Minister Jose Arista committed to austerity measures to achieve a 2% fiscal deficit ceiling for 2024, acknowledging that the country surpassed its 2023

China

Rebecca Patterson, formerly with Bridgewater Associates LP, highlighted that central banks in China, Russia, and Turkey increased their gold reserves to reduce dependence on the

China

China announced its largest mortgage rate cut since 2019, reducing the five-year loan prime rate by 25 bps to 3.95%. This move, intended to support

India

IIFL Finance Ltd. in India plans to raise around USD 400 mln through the sale of three-year notes in its first dollar USD issuance in

China

Malaysia’s central bank attributed the ringgit’s depreciation to external factors, stating it did not reflect Malaysia’s economic prospects. Influences included U.S. interest rate changes, geopolitical

Azerbaijan

Turkish President Erdogan has highlighted a “historic window of opportunity” for lasting peace in the Southern Caucasus following Azerbaijan’s restoration of its territories last year.

Serbia

Serbia reported attracting EUR 4.2 bln in net FDI last year, a slight decrease from EUR 4.33 bln the previous year. The central bank noted

Russia

Uzbekistan’s gas transportation system operator, JSC Uztransgaz, plans to modernize its main gas pipelines to boost gas imports from Russia, with a projected investment of

Israel

Israel’s GDP experienced a nearly 20% contraction in Q4 2023 due to the Gaza war, far exceeding analyst expectations of around a 10% decrease. The

Rwanda

South Africa is leading a regional deployment into the DR Congo’s eastern region to address a conflict displacing 7 million people. The operation, part of

Egypt

Egypt is hopeful that a deal with the IMF will address its foreign currency crisis and allow it to settle outstanding dues with foreign oil