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The bond market, yields and risk: how they work
PARIS, August 18, 2013 (AFP) – The market for debt issued by governments is huge and global, and it provides benchmarks for interest rates across national economies, in addition to official central bank rates. The market is known as the sovereign debt market, or the fixed income market. This is because most government debt is […]
‘s neo-Mercantilist forex controls draw skepticism
NEW DELHI, August 18, 2013 (AFP) – Indian policymakers are looking increasingly panicky as they battle the worst currency crisis in more than two decades, and more worryingly there is no sign their remedies are working.There have been no signs so far of domestic capital flight but analysts say the controls may have been tightened […]
‘s Jaffna peninsula seeks more trade and investment
Aug 18, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna peninsula, which has emerged from a 30-year civil war, has untapped potential for greater investment and trade officials said. “The area has a high cash flow where at least one member of the family or relations is living in overseas,” Aasim Mukthar , general manager of […]
‘s sovereign rating: S&P
Aug 17, 2013 (LBO) – A low inflation level maintained by Sri Lanka’s central bank is likely to support its credit rating in the future, a senior sovereign credit analyst at Standard & Poor’s said. Sri Lanka’s inflation eased to 6.1 percent in the 12 months to July from after spiking to 9.8 percent in […]
Wearable Computing
PARIS, August 17, 2013 (AFP) – South Korea’s Samsung Electronics will unveil its new Galaxy Gear “smartwatch” early next month, ahead of Apple’s iWatch, Bloomberg news and a fan site said Saturday.The Galaxy Gear, which will allow users to make calls, access email and even surf the Internet, will launch on September 4, said the […]
Indian PM rules out repeat of 1991 economic crisis
NEW DELHI, August 17, 2013 (AFP) – India’s premier ruled out Saturday any suggestion the country could suffer a repeat of its 1991 balance-of-payments crisis as it grapples with a plunging rupee and a huge trade gap.Singh added that he hoped for “fresh thinking” at the central bank when its new governor Raghuram Rajan takes […]
Capital Boost
Aug 15, 2013 (LBO) – The capital of Sri Lanka’s state-run People’s Bank will be increased to keep pace with higher business volumes information minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said.As a first step the cabinet of ministers had approved changes to its governing law to increase its authorized capital to 50 billion rupees. A change will also […]
Australian tycoon Packer eyes Japan casino
SYDNEY, August 16, 2013 (AFP) – Australian tycoon James Packer said Friday he wants to expand his gaming empire into the lucrative Japanese market in the form of resort-casinos to tap the country’s love of gambling. The mogul, who already operates casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Macau and is planning complexes in Manila, Sydney and […]
‘s rupee hits new record low against dollar
MUMBAI, August 16, 2013 (AFP) – India’s rupee plunged to a fresh record low against the dollar on Friday over fears that the central bank’s measures may not be able to prop up the ailing currency, dealers said.The rupee, one of Asia’s worst-performing currencies this year, hit a new low of 62.00 rupees to the […]
Sri Lanka rejects night cricket Tests with pink ball
COLOMBO, August 16, 2013 (AFP) – Sri Lanka on Friday turned down a request from Pakistan to play day-night Tests in the upcoming series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where both countries have loyal fans. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said it decided against playing day-night Tests “since the national team players have not practised […]