World

Excellent technical conformity, but further work is required: FATF regarding India
World

Excellent technical conformity, but further work is required: FATF regarding India

In its brief outcome statement, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global anti-money laundering watchdog, has put India in the “regular follow-up” category and underlined the need to address delays in concluding prosecution in cases on money laundering and terror financing. The “regular follow-up” category, a status shared by only four other G20 nations —the UK, France, Italy, and Russia — marks a significant achievement in India’s battle against financial crimes, the ministry pointed out. In the evaluation of 2010, there were no ratings. Among the 17 countries evaluated in the fourth round in G20, only four other countries are in the “regular follow-up” category. The rest are in the “enhanced follow-up” tent and one of them is on the grey list. The FATF has said India has re...
US dollar weakens on weak economic statistics, as the yen gains ground
World

US dollar weakens on weak economic statistics, as the yen gains ground

By Gertrude Chavez-DreyfussNEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. dollar drifted lower against most currencies on Thursday, pressured by softening data in the world’s largest economy that backs expectations the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates this year. The yen edged up from a 38-year low against the greenback following the U.S. numbers, even as traders remained on high alert for any signs of Japanese intervention to prop up the currency. U.S. reports showed that jobless claims for state unemployment benefits dropped to 233,000 for the week ended June 22. However, the number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid increased 18,000 to 1.839 million during the week ending June 15. At the same time, new orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods unexpec...
Comparing Biden and Trump’s economic records in terms of growth, inflation, and jobs
World

Comparing Biden and Trump’s economic records in terms of growth, inflation, and jobs

United States President Joe Biden and former US President Donald Trump’s first debate of the 2024 campaign has refocused attention on their respective economic records in office. During Thursday’s head-to-head, the candidates clashed on the economy, with Biden taking credit for overseeing the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and Trump claiming to have presided over “the greatest economy in the history of our country”. Both Biden and Trump could point to strong performances in particular areas of the economy, but opinion polls have consistently shown that voters have more trust in the Republican’s ability to handle economic and cost-of-living issues. In an ABC News/Ipsos poll released last month, 46 percent of respondents said they trusted Trump on the economy, compar...
Asia, Market, World

Meltdown Looms for the West Bank’s Financial Lifelines

With world attention focused on the Gaza war, another crisis is brewing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, one that could also have grave implications for stability in Israel-Palestine. Palestinian banks may collapse after 1 July, unless Israel renews a waiver that allows Israeli banks to transact with them by that date. The waiver is critical for imports of essential goods into the Palestinian territories, payments of essential services and salaries, and all banking activity. Without it, the Palestinian economy could face a liquidity crisis and a meltdown with dire consequences for West Bank Palestinians – and maybe for Israel as well.  Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, issued a three-month waiver for transactions in March, but indicated that he did...
Asia, China, Market, World

China Mid-year Outlook 2024 : Waiting for policy

What we think This July there are two important meetings in China that may provide further insight into the macro outlook: the Third Plenum and the Politburo meeting. The two policy areas we’ll closely watch are domestic demand and fiscal reform. The economy appears to be at an inflection point. The resilience of the manufacturing sector is a bright spot, while other parts of the economy look mixed, but could start to improve. Investment implications We retain a relatively cautious view on offshore China markets. The downside is limited, but the upside is capped by a mixed macro backdrop and earnings that have yet to show meaningful upside. We expect the A-share market to be relatively more resilient thanks to lower exposure to geopolitical risks (and foreign outflows), limited F...
Asia, China, Market, World

China and global development: what to read in June 2024

Welcome to the June 2024 edition of our China and Global Development round-up. This month, I have curated a selection of resources that delve into the Belt and Road Initiative’s role in promoting structural transformation, the evolving dynamics of Africa-Asia relations, the EU and China’s distinct development approaches in Africa, and the New Development Bank. Read 1: The Belt and Road and dynamics of structural transformation Along with my colleagues Lorena Lombardozzi and Rhys Jenkins, I have edited a special issue on “China’s Belt and Road Initiative and dynamics of structural transformation”. This project stemmed from our observation that while there is a lot of discussion about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and international development, they rarely engag...
Sri Lanka’s Journey From Economic Crisis To Stabilization: From Turmoil To Triumph
World

Sri Lanka’s Journey From Economic Crisis To Stabilization: From Turmoil To Triumph

Sri Lanka, an island nation south of India in the Indian ocean, has faced immense challenges over the past decades, including a brutal civil war that lasted thirty years, followed by a cascade of economic crises, political instability, and social unrest. The lingering echoes of conflict, combined with the devastating impacts of natural disasters, rising debt, and the global COVID-19 pandemic, have further strained the nation's recovery efforts. Despite these hurdles, Sri Lanka stands on the brink of a new era, ready to embark on a journey of recovery and prosperity. Aquarius Horoscope For Today, June 29, Saturday - Innovation Leads Your Way! A significant milestone in Sri Lanka's path to economic recovery has been achieved with the finalization of a debt restructuring deal with its bil...
June factory activity dips anticipated to be prolonged in China: Reuters Poll
World

June factory activity dips anticipated to be prolonged in China: Reuters Poll

IN BRIEF Japan is adjusting its economic relationship with China to reduce dependency, driven by rising labour costs, geopolitical concerns and changes in supply chains rather than by an intention to fully decouple economically. Despite shifts in business strategies, their mutual economic interdependence remains significant, with commitments to economic integration seen in regional agreements like the CPTPP and RCEP, and the continued growth of e-commerce trade. Japan is one of the countries most affected by geopolitical competition between the United States and China. Although the economies of Japan and China seem to be on the first track of economic decoupling in many ways as a result, they are actually only experiencing a period of structural economic change. Contrary to the p...
Which way is the Chinese economy going?
World

Which way is the Chinese economy going?

Earlier this year, China announced an ambitious goal of reaching 5% economic growth in 2024. Today, nearly seven months into the year, economists and government officials say they are optimistic that China can reach its goal. “We have the confidence and capability to achieve the growth target,” Chinese Premier Li Qiang said at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC), a gathering of top global voices from government, business, civil society and academia held in Dalian, People’s Republic of China. “China’s large market is open,” Li stated. “The rapid growth of new industries and new drivers has buttressed the sound and sustained development of the Chinese economy.” Peng Sen, the President of the China Society of Economic Reform, added at the ...
Asia, China, Market, USA, World

China and the renminbi dominate US foreign exchange concerns

Unexciting Treasury report should focus more on dollar strength The US Treasury released its latest foreign exchange report last week. It has not garnered much excitement. Dollar strength poses a bigger foreign exchange question for the current international economic juncture than other currencies, but the report does not devote enough discussion to this. Further, the external positions of key surplus countries raise more nettlesome structural bugs than foreign exchange developments. Nonetheless, several salient themes are well explored, while other parts miss their mark. What are the hits and misses? The hits The first hit is the Treasury’s discussion of the Chinese economy and external position. The report documents China’s efforts to resist renminbi depreciation a...