On Tuesday, India's central bank held interest rates steady but -- in a surprise move -- began unwinding extraordinary stimulus measures, by requiring banks to set aside more bonds as reserves. The Reserve Bank of India, along with South Korea's central bank, is expected to be among the first in Asia to increase interest rates since the onset of the global crisis. On Wednesday, Norway is set to become the first central bank in Europe to raise rates as the country pulls out of recession faster than much of Europe. Norway's central bank is expected to raise its key interest rate Wednesday to 1.5% from 1.25%, starting the reversal of a fiscal and monetary stimulus that amounted to more than 4% of economic output this year. Svein Gjedrem, the governor of Norges Bank, last month said 'it has been appropriate to start winding down the unconventional measures earlier than in other countries.' He added that the central bank will phase out certain arrangements 'in the course of autumn.' Nordea Markets economist Erik Bruce said, 'there's been very strong economic growth, much stronger than the bank had forecast. That's why they're going to hike.' He said the strengthening of the Norwegian krone would keep the central bank from raising rates by more. Norway, like Australia, has an economy that was nudged toward recovery by relatively brisk activity before the crisis, as well as robust global demand for commodities. This month, the Reserve Bank of Australia raised its main interest-rate target to 3.25%, becoming the first major central bank to tighten policy since the financial crisis struck. Israel acted in August, raising its key interest rate to 0.75% from 0.5%, responding to signs that the local economy had started growing and to fears that the inflation rate might pick up quickly. 以色列在8月份采取了行动,将其指标利率从0.5%上调至0.75%,原因是迹象显示以色列经济已经开始增长,而通货膨胀率可能迅速上升,也让人担心。 (责任编辑:voa365) |