Category: Economy and Markets
Stable Mode
The Central Bank on Tuesday opted not to cut its key benchmark interest rates, buoyed by strong economic recovery and an influx of foreign investments.In May, the bank lowered the overnight repurchase rate or repo rate by 75 basis points to 7.5 percent, while the reverse repurchase rate or reverse repo was reduced by 75 […]
Aid +
The Asian Development Bank, on Tuesday finalised plans to raise its lending assistance to Sri Lanka to US$ 700 million over the next three years. The extended assistance is part of the Country Strategy and Program (CSP) for 2004-2008, approved by ADBs Board of Directors.rn rnThe proposed lending level represents a $100 million increase over […]
Live Trades
Becoming the first in the South Asian region, Sri Lanka quote s inter-bank payment and settlement system went live on Monday, with Rs. 119 bn worth transactions settled at the close of trading.Now generally accepted as international best practice to settle urgent and high value inter-bank payments, the Rs. 900 mn Real Time Gross Settlement […]
New Limits
The Central Bank on Friday revised the limits on the daily foreign exchange net open positions (NOP) of commercial banks starting from September 1. rn rnThe revision, the bank says would help deepen the foreign exchange market, making it attractive for commercial banks to carry out their international operations efficiently and strengthening prudential regulations relating […]
Investor Surge
Malaysian investment volumes of Rs. 2.5 bn are projected to grow by 100 percent after successful investment promos in Kuala Lumpur recently, the Board of Investment said Thursday. The trade seminars attracted some 700 Malaysian businessmen, with a great deal of interest from Penang, the countrys software nerve center. rn rnSeveral Malaysian investors have approached […]
Slight Hiccup
The International Monetary Fund says it will delay releasing the second US$ 80 mn installment next month, as the government has missed two of its targets.The government signed up for a US$ 567 mn structural adjustment facility in April this year under the Funds poverty reduction and growth facility or PRGF.rn rnThe initial US$ 81 […]
State Ruins
State Engineering Corporation officials say its role has to change from a construction company to a foreign market oriented skills development centre.The plan also requires the Corporations to continue under state ownership.rn rnThe proposal falls within its restructuring plan handed in to policy makers who have tagged the Corp., for privatisation. rn rnChairman, Ariyaseela Wickramanayake […]
Early Retirement
The government plans to retire some of its domestic debt starting next month, due to an influx of dollars into the market.The long-awaited US$ 100 mn loan from Citibank is expected to come through within the next few weeks.rn rnThe five-year syndicated loan, which is backed by Nippon Export Investment Insurance Company of Japan, was […]
Mine Ahead
The United Nations Development Program said Thursday, that they will strengthen ongoing de-mining efforts in the North, with a technical assistance grant of US$ 3.2 mn. Since a ceasefire 19 months ago, there has been humanitarian mine assistance to remove some 1.5 mn landmines still lying buried in private and fertile agricultural lands in the […]
Left Over
The Treasury is selling its residual stakes in 19 firms, 14 of them through the Colombo Stock Exchange. At current trading prices, the stakes in 13 of the 14 listed firms are worth Rs.194.6 million.rn rnThe larger parcels of the listed shares and the five unquoted firms will be sold on an all or nothing […]
War Spoils
The government is rolling out a series of rural road development and electrification projects as it starts spending the lquote peace dividends, of a 19-month ceasefire.rnrn rnAn accelerated development programme is being rolled out at a cost of Rs. 17.4 bn over an 18-month period to take roads and electricity to parts of rural Sri […]
Good Marks
The ADB on Friday revised its export growth targets for 2003 upwards to 10 percent from an earlier 6 percent, but warned of power shortages eating into early gains by 2004. rnldblquote Export performance should be more robust than anticipated in the beginning of the year with the recovery of Sri Lankas main export markets […]