Economy / Global

UK growth revised up to show faster post-pandemic recovery

UK growth revised up to show faster post-pandemic recovery

Britain's economic performance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has been stronger than previously thought, with faster growth than Germany or France, according to revisions to official data released on Friday. The Office for National Statistics said Britain's economy in the three months to


Afghan currency emerges as world’s best performer this quarter

Afghan currency emerges as world’s best performer this quarter

The currency of Afghanistan, Afghani, has emerged as the world's best-performing currency of the September quarter so far. News portals said the massive dollar inflow in the form of humanitarian aid and the currency control measures imposed by the ruling Taliban propelled the country to gain the a

Pakistani central bank forex reserves fall $59m

Pakistani central bank forex reserves fall $59m

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said that its foreign exchange reserves had decreased by 59 million US dollars. During the week ending on Sept. 22, total foreign exchange reserves of the bank fell to around $7.6 billion, the SBP said in a statement on Thursday night, reports Xinhua. The decrease

New IMF funds for Sri Lanka may face delay after review

New IMF funds for Sri Lanka may face delay after review

The International Monetary Fund did not reach a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka in its first review under a $2.9 billion bailout package, due to a potential shortfall in government revenue generation, the Fund said on Wednesday. Speaking after a two-week visit to the country, IMF delegation h

Premium applicable only to forward import payments, BB clarifies

Premium applicable only to forward import payments, BB clarifies

The premium on forward dollar transactions will be applicable only to the forward import payments, Bangladesh Bank said on Tuesday, clarifying its regulations on forward sale and purchase in foreign exchange. A forward contract is a non-standardised contract between two parties, who enter into an

Japan to compile economic package to ease inflation pain

Japan to compile economic package to ease inflation pain

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled on Monday the pillars of a new economic stimulus package to be compiled next month to help households ease the pain of price hikes and boost wages. Kishida will instruct his cabinet on Tuesday to put together the package and swiftly set up an extra bud

Sri Lanka to relax import restrictions

Sri Lanka to relax import restrictions

Sri Lanka will relax restrictions imposed on imported goods except vehicles in October, a state minister said on Saturday. Addressing a conference, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said import restrictions are currently maintained on 600 HS codes (Harmonized System codes). The relaxati

India's foreign exchange reserves dip to four-month low

India's foreign exchange reserves dip to four-month low

India's foreign exchange reserves dipped by US$ 860 million to $593.037 billion during the week ended Sept 15, showed data released by the country's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on Friday. This was the second consecutive week when the South Asian country's forex reserves declined

JP Morgan to include India in emerging markets bond index

JP Morgan to include India in emerging markets bond index

JP Morgan said it will include Indian government bonds in its widely tracked emerging market debt index from next year. India will be included in the GBI-EM (Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets) Global Index suite starting June 28, 2024, reports Xinhua citing a statement issued by JP Morgan. "

ADB projects 4.7pc growth for developing Asia amid risks

ADB projects 4.7pc growth for developing Asia amid risks

Economic growth of developing economies in Asia and the Pacific is projected to remain solid, although risks to the outlook are rising, according to an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report released on Wednesday. The Asian Development Outlook September 2023 forecasts the region's developing economie

US homeowners face higher insurance costs as climate risk rises

US homeowners face higher insurance costs as climate risk rises

A growing number of Americans are finding it difficult to afford insurance on their homes, a problem only expected to worsen because insurers and lawmakers have underestimated the impact of climate change, a new report says. A report from First Street Foundation released Wednesday says states