Danmarks Nationalbank Monetary Review 4Th Quarter

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Danmarks Nationalbank Monetary Review 4Th Quarter Danmarks Nationalbank 2007 Danmarks Monetary Review Nationalbank Monetary Review 4th Quarter 07 4 Danmarks Nationalbank Havnegade 5 DK-1093 Copenhagen K D A N M A R K S Telephone +45 33 63 63 63 Fax +45 33 63 71 25 N A T I O N A L www.nationalbanken.dk E-mail: [email protected] B A N K 2 0 0 7 4 MMON4_07.inddON4_07.indd 1 118-01-20088-01-2008 114:19:434:19:43 Monetary Review - 4th Quarter 2007 MONETARY REVIEW 4th QUARTER 2007 The small picture on the front cover shows the "Bankers" clock, which was designed by Arne Jacobsen for the Danmarks Nationalbank building. Text may be copied from this publication provided that Danmarks Nationalbank is specifi- cally stated as the source. Changes to or misrepresentation of the content are not permit- ted. The Monetary Review is available on Danmarks Nationalbank's website: www.nationalbanken.dk under publications. Managing Editor: Jens Thomsen Editor: Anders Møller Christensen This edition closed for contributions on 7 December, 2007. The Monetary Review can be ordered from: Danmarks Nationalbank, Information Desk, Havnegade 5, DK-1093 Copenhagen K. Telephone +45 33 63 70 00 (direct) or +45 33 63 63 63. Inquiries: Monday-Friday 9.00 a.m.-4 p.m. E-mail: [email protected] Datagraf Auning A/S ISSN 0011-6149 (Online) ISSN 1398-3865 18-01-2008 07:22:00 Antal sider: 1 Rev. nr. kolofon Oprettet af Alice Colombo Monetary Review - 4th Quarter 2007 Contents Recent Economic and Monetary Trends ............................................. 1 Two New Euro Area Member States: Cyprus and Malta ................... 27 Longevity Bonds – a Financial Market Instrument to Manage Longevity Risk ....................................................................................... 29 Governor Jens Thomsen and Jens Verner Andersen, Financial Markets The article discusses the perspectives for issuance of financial instruments that are indexed to the development in life expectancy (longevity bonds). Longevity bonds can transfer the risk in connection with higher life expectancy to investors in the financial markets. However, neither issuers nor investors have so far fully embraced the instrument. Against that background, the article outlines the challenges in relation to developing a market for longevity bonds, including why there is no basis for government longevity bonds. Flexicurity – the Danish Labour-Market Model ................................. 45 Erik Haller Pedersen and Johanne Dinesen Riishøj, Economics Over the last 15 years, unemployment in Denmark has gradually decreased to one of the lowest levels in the OECD. The decrease should be viewed against the background of the string of extensive labour-market reforms that were initiated in the mid-1990s. They have contributed to the special Danish labour-market model, flexicurity. The article provides a review and assessment of flexicurity. Development in Productivity in Denmark .......................................... 67 Per Flink Iversen and Johanne Dinesen Riishøj, Economics Productivity growth in Denmark has been modest in recent years compared to previously and to other countries. This article describes recent productivity trends in Denmark and makes comparison with other countries by means of harmonised data. Economic Development in the Baltic States: Success and New Challenges ............................................................... 79 Karsten Stæhr, Tallinn University of Technology and Eesti Pank The Baltic States have seen very strong economic growth and rapidly increasing standards of living. This has been accompanied by very large current-account deficits and rising inflation. It is not clear whether the result will be a hard or a soft landing. 18-01-2008 07:23:00 Antal sider: 2 Rev. nr. 2 H:\kvo\ENG\2007\4qt\faerdige\Indholdsfortegnelse-en.doc Oprettet af Alice Colombo Monetary Review - 4th Quarter 2007 Hedge Funds and the Financial System .............................................. 97 Jesper Ulriksen Thuesen, Financial Markets Hedge funds can contribute to strengthening financial stability e.g. by enhancing price formation and supporting the development of new securities markets. At the same time, they can increase the risk of systemic crises. The most important means of protection against financial instability is competent risk management in the financial enterprises that are hedge-fund counterparties. Foreign-Exchange and Derivatives Markets in 2007 .......................... 115 Rune Egstrup and Birgitte Damm Fischer, Statistics Average daily turnover in the Danish foreign-exchange market has more than doubled since 2004. Growth in the global foreign-exchange markets has also been significant. The higher turnover in the foreign-exchange markets reflects factors such as a sustained overall upswing and increasing internationalisation. In Denmark the increase is also to a large extent related to liquidity management by banks. Speech by Governor Nils Bernstein at the Annual Meeting of the Danish Bankers Association on 5 December 2007 ....................... 129 Press Releases ....................................................................................... 135 Tables and Graphs Section Vol. XLVI, No. 4 18-01-2008 07:23:00 Antal sider: 2 Rev. nr. 2 H:\kvo\ENG\2007\4qt\faerdige\Indholdsfortegnelse-en.doc Oprettet af Alice Colombo Monetary Review - 4th Quarter 2007 1 Recent Economic and Monetary Trends This review covers the period from mid-September to the beginning of December The global economy is subject to more uncertainty than it has been for a long time due to the continued turmoil in the financial markets and rising inflation in most countries. Global economic growth remains high, but is increasingly driven by the emerging market economies. Strong demand has led to continued high commodity prices, and above all to a surge in oil prices. The dampening of growth is primarily attributable to developments in the industrialised countries, notably a negative trend in the housing markets. GDP growth is expected to subside in the USA, but to remain stable and high in non-Japan Asia and weaken in Japan. The expansion in Europe continues. The risk scenario is asymmetrical, so that global economic growth is more likely to be lower, and inflation higher, than in the central forecast. The Danish economy has heated up after several years' sustained boom. The considerable increase in activity in recent years has led to a pro- nounced rise in employment and the lowest rate of unemployment since 1974. Many business enterprises have problems recruiting the labour they need to match domestic and external demand. The shortage of labour is reflected in a clear upward trend in the rate of wage increase during 2007. Furthermore, it curbs supply-side growth. With a positive outlook for Denmark's trading partners, as well as sound household finances in Denmark, growth in demand is expected to increase in the near future. The pressure on the labour market is thus also likely to be sustained, and the rising rate of wage increase will have an adverse impact on Denmark's competitiveness. The risk of a subsequent period with unfavourable developments in activity and unemployment has thus increased. THE GLOBAL ECONOMY Global economic growth is high. According to the forecasts of the Inter- national Monetary Fund (IMF), global GDP growth is expected to be 5.2 per cent in 2007, compared to 5.4 per cent in 2006. In 2008, a decline to 4.8 per cent is expected. Growth may be lower due to the uncertainty concerning the US housing market and the resulting financial turmoil, as well as the risk of higher energy prices. 18-01-2008 07:30:00 Antal sider: 26 Rev. nr. 2 H:\kvo\ENG\2007\4qt\faerdige\001- 026.doc Oprettet af Niels Arne Dam Monetary Review - 4th Quarter 2007 2 CONTRIBUTION TO GROWTH IN GLOBAL PPP-GDP Chart 1 Per cent 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 USA Euro area Rest of OECD China and India Rest of world Note: Calculated on the basis of purchasing power parities (PPP). 2007-08 are estimates. Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2007. The declining growth is attributable to developments in the industri- alised world, particularly the USA. Emerging market economies and other developing countries now contribute the largest share of global growth, with China and India together accounting for approximately half of the growth, cf. Chart 1. CONSENSUS FORECASTS OF GDP GROWTH Chart 2 Per cent 3.00 2.75 2.50 2.25 2.00 1.75 1.50 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov USA 2007 USA 2008 EUR 2007 EUR 2008 JPN 2007 JPN 2008 Note: The horizontal axis indicates the time of the forecasts. Source: Consensus Economics. 18-01-2008 07:30:00 Antal sider: 26 Rev. nr. 2 H:\kvo\ENG\2007\4qt\faerdige\001- 026.doc Oprettet af Niels Arne Dam Monetary Review - 4th Quarter 2007 3 GDP GROWTH, FORECASTS Table 1 2008 2009 IMF EC OECD IMF EC OECD USA ................................................ 1.9 1.7 2.0 n.a. 2.6 2.2 Euro area ....................................... 2.1 2.2 1.9 n.a. 2.1 2.0 Japan ............................................. 1.7 1.9 1.6 n.a. 2.3 1.8 Note: The IMF's forecast is from October, the European Commission's and the OECD's are from November. Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, European Commission Autumn Economic Forecast, and OECD Economic Outlook. As a result of the turmoil in the international financial markets over the summer, expectations of global growth in industrialised countries have been adjusted downwards in the most recent consensus forecasts. The largest downward adjustment relates to growth in 2008 in the US economy, which is now expected to fall below its long-term level in both 2007 and 2008, cf. Chart 2. The international institutions expect even lower growth in the USA in 2008 than the respondents in the consensus forecasts do, but expect the economy to pick up in 2009, cf.
Recommended publications
  • 2013:3 5 Average Annual Inflation Rate Is Expected to Decline from 2.5% in 2012 to 1.5% in 2013 and to 1.3% in 2014
    QUARTERLY REVIEW 2013 Vol. 46 No. 3 © Central Bank of Malta, 2013 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta VLT 1060 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website http://www.centralbankmalta.org E-mail [email protected] Printed by Gutenberg Press Ltd Gudja Road Tarxien, Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The cut-off date for statistical information published in the Economic Survey of this Review is 11 November 2013, except where otherwise indicated. Figures in tables may not add up due to rounding. ISSN 0008-9273 (print) ISSN 1811-1254 (online) CONTENTS FOREWORD 5 ECONOMIC SURVEY 9 1. International Economic Developments and the Euro Area Economy 9 International economic developments International financial markets Commodities Economic and monetary developments in the euro area 2. Output and Employment 24 Gross domestic product and industrial production Box 1: Tourism activity The labour market Box 2: Estimating Okun's Law for Malta Box 3: Business and consumer surveys 3. Prices, Costs and Competitiveness 48 HICP inflation RPI inflation Costs and competitiveness Box 4: Residential property prices 4. The Balance of Payments 57 The current account The capital and financial account 5. Government Finance 62 General government Consolidated Fund General government debt 6. Monetary and Financial Developments 68 Monetary aggregates and their counterparts The money market The capital market Box 5: Household Finance and Consumption Survey: Malta vs. euro area Box 6: ECB estimation
    [Show full text]
  • FORTIETH ANNUAL REPORT and STATEMENT of ACCOUNTS 2007 © Central Bank of Malta, 2008
    FORTIETH ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2007 © Central Bank of Malta, 2008 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta VLT 1060 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website http://www.centralbankmalta.org E-mail [email protected] Printed by Gutenberg Press Ltd Gudja Road Tarxien, Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The cut-off date for information published in this Report is 29 February 2008 except where otherwise indicated. The source for data in tables and charts is the Central Bank of Malta, unless otherwise indicated. Since during the period covered by this Report the Maltese lira was the relevant currency, data presented in tables and charts refer to the Maltese lira alone. Euro equivalents, converted at the official rate of MTL/EUR 0.4293, have been inserted into the text to help the reader. Figures in tables may not add up due to rounding. ISSN 0577-0653 (print) ISSN 1811-1262 (online) The Mission and Objectives of the Central Bank of Malta (as from 1 January 2008) Our Mission The Central Bank of Malta is an independent institution which seeks to carry out its statutory responsibilities in the public interest. As a member of the Eurosystem, the Bank’s primary objective is to maintain price stability, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development. Our Objectives We seek to achieve this mission by:- Promoting price stability in the euro area The Bank promotes price stability in the euro area through participation by the Governor in the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB).
    [Show full text]
  • E Euro Symbol Was Created by the European Commission
    e eu ro c o i n s 1 unity an d d i v e r s i t The euro, our currency y A symbol for the European currency e euro symbol was created by the European Commission. e design had to satisfy three simple criteria: ADF and BCDE • to be a highly recognisable symbol of Europe, intersect at D • to have a visual link with existing well-known currency symbols, and • to be aesthetically pleasing and easy to write by hand. Some thirty drafts were drawn up internally. Of these, ten were put to the test of approval by the BCDE, DH and IJ general public. Two designs emerged from the are parallel scale survey well ahead of the rest. It was from these two BCDE intersects that the President of the Commission at the time, at C Jacques Santer, and the European Commissioner with responsibility for the euro, Yves-ibault de Silguy, Euro symbol: geometric construction made their final choice. Jacques Santer and Yves-ibault de Silguy e final choice, the symbol €, was inspired by the letter epsilon, harking back to classical times and the cradle of European civilisation. e symbol also refers to the first letter of the word “Europe”. e two parallel lines indicate the stability of the euro, as they do in the symbol of the dollar and the yen. e official abbreviation for the euro is EUR. © European Communities, 2008 e eu ro c o i n s 2 unity an d d i v e r s i t The euro, our currency y Two sides of a coin – designing the European side e euro coins are produced by the euro area countries themselves, unlike the banknotes which are printed by the ECB.
    [Show full text]
  • FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT and STATEMENT of ACCOUNTS 2019 © Central Bank of Malta, 2020
    FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2019 © Central Bank of Malta, 2020 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta VLT 1060 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website www.centralbankmalta.org E-mail [email protected] Photo credits Melvin Bugeja/Central Bank of Malta, Shutterstock, Patrick Fenech/Art and Architecture and European Central Bank. Printed by Gutenberg Press Ltd Gudja Road Tarxien GXQ 2902 Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The cut-off date for information published in this Report is 28 February 2020 except where otherwise indicated. Figures in tables may not add up due to rounding. ISSN 0577-0653 (print) ISSN 1811-1262 (online) MISSION STATEMENT The Central Bank of Malta is an independent institution, which forms an integral part of the Eurosystem and, as a member of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB), has the primary objective of maintaining price stability. The Bank is entrusted with all major central banking tasks, particularly that of ensuring the stability of the financial system. It seeks to carry out its statutory responsibilities in the public interest and is committed to performing its func- tions effectively, efficiently and economically to the highest level of integrity, competence and transparency. In this regard it will continue to: i. undertake economic and financial analysis and research to support the Governor’s partici- pation in the decision-making process of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) and provide independent advice to Government on economic and financial policy issues; ii. implement the ECB’s monetary policy through market operations conducted within the opera- tional framework of the Eurosystem; iii.
    [Show full text]
  • Pangs of Nascent Nationalism from the Nationless State?
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by OAR@UM Nations and Nationalism 15 (1), 2009, 148–165. Pangsofnascentnationalismfromthe nationless state? Euro coins and undocumented migrants in Malta since 2004n GODFREY BALDACCHINO University of Prince Edward Island, Canada and Visiting Professor, University of Malta, Malta ABSTRACT. This paper examines recent manifestations of the emergence of national identity amongst the citizens of Malta, now the smallest member state of the European Union. In this search, discrete events and ‘things’ are examined as symbolic para- phernalia, empirical phenomena that provide insights to overarching narratives about identity, nationalism and integration. The discussion and eventual decision on the choice of euro coin faces in Malta is proposed as one that illustrates a process of ‘nascent nationalism’. Meanwhile, the arrival of boatloads of undocumented migrants on Malta’s shores has also encouraged the evolution of a secular, national character in Malta. Such episodes, and others, ultimately reflect a need for symbols of national unity that remain largely absent in this ‘nationless state’ which continues to be gripped by a bipolar partisanship that spares almost no one. KEYWORDS: euro coins; European Union; Malta; nationalism; nationless state; undocumented migrants Scene-setting: there are two sides to the coin The choice of stylised bridges to grace the reverse side of the euro notes, now the currency of 400 million Europeans, should not surprise us. The European Union (EU) is a grand project which speaks ambitiously to both integration n An earlier draft of this paper was prepared for a workshop titled: ‘EU–Civil Society Relations: The Impact of the EU on National Movements and National Identity’, organised by the Department of Politics at the University of Strathclyde and held at Ross Priory, Loch Lomond, Scotland, on 23–25 April 2007.
    [Show full text]
  • Catalogue Numismatique.Pdf
    2012 Produits numismatiques du Luxembourg Luxemburgische numismatische Produkte Émissions officielles Offizielle Ausgaben Official Issues Luxembourg numismatic products SOMMAIRE INHALT / SUMMARY 1. PIÈCES DE CIRCULATION (BU, PROOF) 4 CHÂTEAUX DU LUXEMBOURG UMLAUFMÜNZEN (STEMPELGLANZ, POLIERTE PLATTE) BURGEN LUXEMBURGS / CASTLES OF LUXEMBOURG CIRCULATION COINS (BU, PROOF) Château de Vianden / Burg Vianden / Castle of Vianden 2009 26 Sets «BU» / Münzsätze „Stempelglanz” / “BU” Sets 2002-2012 6 Château d’Esch-sur-Sûre / Burg Esch-Sauer / Castle of Esch-sur-Sûre 2010 26 Pièces commémoratives de 2 e (BU) 2004-2012 10 e e 2 Gedenkmünzen (Stempelglanz) / 2 commemorative coins (BU) Château de Mersch / Burg Mersch / Castle of Mersch 2011 27 Sets « Proof » / Münzsätze „Polierte Platte” / “Proof” Sets 2002-2012 14 Château de Bourscheid / Burg Bourscheid / Castle of Bourscheid 2012 27 2. PIÈCES DE COllECTION / SAMMLERMÜNZEN / COllECTOR COINS 18 FAUNE ET FLORE AU LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTIONS EUROPÉENNES FAUNA UND FlORA IN LUXEMBURG EUROPÄISCHE INSTITUTIONEN / EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS FAUNA AND FlORA IN LUXEMBOURG Cour de Justice des Communautés européennes 2002 20 Gerichtshof der Europäischen Gemeinschaften Faucon crécerelle / Turmfalke / Common Kestrel 2009 28 Court of Justice of the European Communities Arnica Montana / Arnika / Arnica Montana 2010 28 BCL et SEBC / BCL und ESZB / BCL and ESCB 2003 20 Loutre d’Europe / Europäischer Fischotter / European Otter 2011 29 Parlement européen / Europäisches Parlament / European Parliament 2004 21 Conseil de l’Union
    [Show full text]
  • FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT and STATEMENT of ACCOUNTS 2020 © Central Bank of Malta, 2021
    FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2020 © Central Bank of Malta, 2021 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta VLT 1060 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website www.centralbankmalta.org E-mail [email protected] Printed by Gutenberg Press Ltd Gudja Road Tarxien GXQ 2902 Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The cut-off date for information published in this Report is 1 March 2021 except where otherwise indicated. Figures in tables may not add up due to rounding. ISSN 0577-0653 (print) ISSN 1811-1262 (online) MISSION STATEMENT The Central Bank of Malta is an independent institution, which forms an integral part of the Eurosystem and, as a member of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB), has the primary objective of maintaining price stability. The Bank is entrusted with all major central banking tasks, particularly that of ensuring the stability of the financial system. It seeks to carry out its statutory responsibilities in the public interest and is committed to performing its func- tions effectively, efficiently and economically to the highest level of integrity, competence and transparency. In this regard it will continue to: i. undertake economic and financial analysis and research to support the Governor’s partici- pation in the decision-making process of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) and provide independent advice to Government on economic and financial policy issues; ii. implement the ECB’s monetary policy through market operations conducted within the opera- tional framework of the Eurosystem; iii. contribute effectively to the stability of the financial system by identifying and assessing systemic risks and imbalances, and making the appropriate policy recommendations; iv.
    [Show full text]
  • THIRTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT and STATEMENT of ACCOUNTS 2006 © Central Bank of Malta, 2007
    Central Bank of Malta THIRTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2006 © Central Bank of Malta, 2007 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta VLT 1060 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website http://www.centralbankmalta.com E-mail [email protected] Printed by Print It Printing Services Corradino, Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The cut-off date for information published in this Report is 28 February 2007 except where otherwise indicated. The source for data in Tables and Charts is the Central Bank of Malta, unless otherwise indicated. ISSN 0577-0653 (print) ISSN 1811-1262 (online) Our Mission To maintain price stability and to ensure a sound financial system, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development. We seek to achieve this mission by: • Pursuing appropriate interest and exchange rate policies • Maintaining the value of the external reserves • Safeguarding the integrity of the financial sector • Promoting and supporting the development of financial markets and efficient payment and settlement systems • Issuing notes and coins to meet the demands of the public • Conducting economic analyses and publishing economic and financial statistics • Advising the Government on economic and financial matters To achieve the above objectives, the Bank is committed to providing effective support functions through a sound financial control system and appropriate information systems, and through the development of competent and qualified staff. BOARD OF DIRECTORS* Michael C. Bonello Governor David A. Pullicino Deputy Governor Joseph V. Gatt Director Philomena Meli Director Charles J. Falzon Director Executive Management Committee* Monetary Policy Advisory Council* Investments Policy Committee* Michael C.
    [Show full text]
  • EU Council Allows Adoption of the Euro for Malta in 2008 GMT
    Newspaper post 24c / €0.56 “Tourism between Portugal and Malta is an “EUROMEDITI reaffirms the government’s commitment area which needs to be enhanced” to strengthening IT in the Mediterranean” Antonio Russo Dias INTERVIEW ■ PAGE 10 Lawrence Gonzi POINT OF VIEW ■ PAGE 9 Business Today ISSUE NO. 494 www.businesstoday.com.mt WEDNESDAY 11 July 2007 Private equity EU Council allows adoption fi rm acquires Melita Cable plc GMT Communications Partners of the euro for Malta in 2008 (“GMT”), the leading European independent private equity group focused exclusively on the com- Gerald Fenech munications sector, has signed an agreement to acquire Melita Cable At an ECOFIN meeting in Brussels, plc (“Melita”), the leading provid- the European Council yesterday er in television, broadband and decided to allow Cyprus and Malta telephony services in Malta, from to adopt the euro as their currency, Nasdaq listed Liberty Global and thus enlarging the euro area to 15 the Gasan Group of Companies. member states, as from 1 January The Maltese television, 2008. broadband and telephony It also adopted regulations setting services sector has grown permanent conversion rates for rapidly in recent years, due to an the Cypriot pound and the Maltese increasing customer base and a lira against the euro2 and adjusting continually developing product certain technical provisions on offering. Melita’s management introduction of the euro3. team’s experience in driving Cyprus and Malta will issue euro forward and maximising growth notes and coins at the same time as opportunities include heavy adopting the euro. The conversion investment in Melita Cable plc to rates are set at 0.585274 Cyprus expand and upgrade its network pounds to the euro and 0.4293 and to develop new services.
    [Show full text]
  • Quarterly Review 2006:1
    Central Bank of Malta Quarterly Review 2006:1 Vol. 39 No. 1 © Central Bank of Malta, 2006 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta CMR 01 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website http://www.centralbankmalta.com E-mail [email protected] Printed by Print It Printing Services Corradino, Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The Quarterly Review is prepared and issued by the Economics and External Relations Division of the Central Bank of Malta. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Bank. The cut-off date for statistical information pub- lished in this Review is 31 March 2006 except for data on Government Finance where the cut off date is 28 April 2006. Figures in Tables may not add up due to rounding. ISSN 0008-9273 (print) ISSN 1811-1254 (online) CONTENTS ECONOMIC SURVEY 1. Foreword 5 2. The International Environment 7 3. Monetary and Financial Developments 12 4. Output, Employment and Prices 20 Box 1: Business Perceptions Survey 33 Box 2: Comparison of 2005 Forecasts with Outturn 37 5. The Balance of Payments and the Maltese Lira 39 6. Government Finance 44 NEWS NOTES 48 STATISTICAL TABLES 53 ABBREVIATIONS COICOP Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ECB European Central Bank ecu european currency unit EEA European Economic Area EMU Economic and Monetary Union ERM II exchange rate mechanism II ESA 95 European System of Accounts 1995 ESCB European System of Central Banks ETC Employment and Training Corporation EU European Union FI fungibility issue GDP gross domestic product HICP Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IMF International Monetary Fund MIGA Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency MFI Monetary Financial Institution MFSA Malta Financial Services Authority MSE Malta Stock Exchange NACE Rev.
    [Show full text]
  • QUARTERLY REVIEW 2011 Vol
    QUARTERLY REVIEW 2011 Vol. 44 No. 4 © Central Bank of Malta, 2011 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta VLT 1060 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website http://www.centralbankmalta.org E-mail [email protected] Printed by Gutenberg Press Ltd Gudja Road Tarxien, Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The cut-off date for statistical information published in the Economic Survey of this Review is 13 January 2012, except where otherwise indicated. Figures in tables may not add up due to rounding. ISSN 0008-9273 (print) ISSN 1811-1254 (online) CONTENTS FOREWORD 5 ECONOMIC SURVEY 8 1. International Economic Developments and the Euro Area Economy 8 The international economy Commodities Economic and monetary developments in the euro area 2. Output and Employment 21 Gross domestic product Box 1: Tourism Activity The labour market Box 2: Business and consumer surveys 3. Prices, Costs and Competitiveness 34 HICP inflation RPI inflation Costs and competitiveness Box 3: Residential property prices 4. The Balance of Payments 41 The current account The capital and financial account 5 Government Finance 45 General government Consolidated Fund General government debt Box 4: Government's fiscal outlook Box 5: Deficit-debt adjustments in Malta: 2007-2010 6. Monetary and Financial Developments 56 Monetary aggregates and their counterparts The money market The capital market 7. Economic projections for 2011 and 2012 64 Outlook for the Maltese economy Risks to the projections LESSONS
    [Show full text]
  • Computer-Assisted Learning Based on Cumulative Vocabularies, Conceptual Networks and Wikipedia Linkage Aalto Un Iversity
    Departm en t of Com pu ter Scien ce Aa lto- Lauri Lahti Lahti Lauri In this doctoral dissertation Lauri Lahti proposes new methods and frameworks for DD 48 Computer-Assisted Learning computer-assisted learning relying on / knowledge structures inspired by the 2015 processes and structure of Wikipedia online and Wikipedia Linkage Conceptual Networks Vocabularies, Computer-Assisted Learning Based on Cumulative Based on Cumulative encyclopedia, supplied with experimental results. Complementing approaches include lists of concepts and conceptual Vocabularies, Conceptual r ela ti on s hi p s , colla b or a tor r oles , g en er a ti on of con cep t m a p s f r om the hy p er li n k n etwor k Networks and Wikipedia of Wikipedia, parallel rankings based on the statistics of the articles, branching structures and temporal versions of the Linkage articles. Approaches extend to wiki environments for editing concept maps, covering the perspectives of the learner, the context and the objective, exploring the Lauri Lahti shortest hyperlink chains between corresponding Wikipedia articles and recommending routings with a tailored variation and repetition of spaced learning and visualizations. Cumulatively explored conceptual networks, recall effects and language ability levels are contrasted with a review about measures of human learning process and representation of knowledge. 9HSTFMG*agbgde+ 9HSTFMG*agbgde+ ISBN 978-952-60-6163-4 (printed) BUSINESS + ISBN 978-952-60-6164-1 (pdf) ECONOMY ISSN-L 1799-4934 ISSN 1799-4934 (printed) ART + ISSN 1799-4942
    [Show full text]