EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn has said that Ireland’s economy is continuing to recover. Mr Rehn said that the EU-IMF bailout has contributed to the recovery through financial assistance and the restructuring and recapitalisation of the banking sector. This is despite figures showing an expected slowdown in exports and an increase in … Continue reading
The eurozone crisis has focused attention on debt-burdened Greece spiraling into decline. Meanwhile, Portugal is seen as the international creditors’ poster-child for obediently slashing spending and welfare benefits. Nevertheless, the Portuguese national debt continues to grow, and the country is mired in recession and soaring unemployment. The Portuguese national character has long been identified with … Continue reading
Swedish house prices may drop further as the largest Nordic economy risks falling into a recession, according to Riksbank Governor Stefan Ingves. “It’s not unreasonable to assume that house prices may fall a bit, or at least park at today’s level,” Ingves said yesterday in an interview in Stockholm. “The pace of lending is significantly … Continue reading
Hong Kong faces a potential recession if the European financial crisis deepens, the International Monetary Fund warned. Economic growth locally is expected to slow to 4 percent in 2012 from 5.75 percent estimated for this year because of weakening external demand, the fund said in a report released yesterday. In the third quarter, the economy … Continue reading
The German finance ministry is actively pushing for Greece to declare itself bankrupt and to agree a “haircut” on the bulk of its debts held by banks, a move that would be classed as a default by financial markets. Eurozone finance ministers meet on Monday to approve the next tranche of loans from the EU … Continue reading