EUR/USD
1.16618
-0.039%
Gold
4597.50
0.005%
Oil
59.537
-0.183%
USD/JPY
158.687
0.335%
GBP/USD
1.34764
0.082%
GBP/JPY
213.859
0.425%
Real-time News
On January 13th, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) announced that its newly formed Financial Policy Committee has finalized its seven members, including two external appointees. The committee will hold its first meeting in February. This move stems from several surveys conducted last year regarding competition in New Zealands banking sector, which recommended that the RBNZ strengthen its financial policy-making capabilities. With the support of Finance Minister Willis, the RBNZ Board of Governors established the committee to enhance the professionalism of policy decisions. The committees responsibilities include setting prudential regulatory requirements for financial institutions and making decisions on macroprudential policy. In addition, the committee will advise the Finance Minister on legislative reforms, regulatory measures, or other regulatory activities, and will be responsible for approving the central banks semi-annual Financial Stability Report.On January 13th, former Bank of Japan (BOJ) policy board member Makoto Sakurai stated that the BOJ may raise interest rates as early as April due to the continued weakness of the yen caused by escalating market concerns about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis "dangerous" fiscal policies. "The BOJ must raise rates at least once before June or July, but the action could come in April." (The market generally expects the BOJ to raise rates approximately every six months, so an April rate hike would be earlier than the market consensus.) These remarks came as the yen further depreciated following reports in Japanese media that the Takaichi municipal government was considering holding an early general election next month. Sakurais comments indicate that he believes the BOJ will not take action to support the yen at its next two meetings, and if the yen continues to depreciate, the responsibility for maintaining the exchange rate during this period will fall on the Ministry of Finance.On January 13th, Zhou Haibing, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), stated at a regular press conference that it is necessary to clarify the boundaries of responsibility between the government and enterprises, adhere to the principle of "whoever pollutes, cleans up," and prevent situations where "enterprises make money but leave behind pollution," making the government and the public pay the price. Going forward, the NDRC will work with relevant departments to improve supporting systems, issue management measures for the comprehensive utilization of power batteries for new energy vehicles, revise the guidance catalog for industrial restructuring, and intensify restrictions and elimination of outdated technologies and equipment.On January 13, Zhou Haibing, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), stated that this year the NDRC will lead the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Circular Economy, clarify the development goals and tasks for the circular economy in key areas, deploy key measures for the recycling and utilization of traditional renewable resources, rare and precious metals, and "new three types" of solid waste, improve the guarantee system, further improve resource utilization efficiency, strengthen resource security, support green and low-carbon transformation, and promote new achievements in the high-quality development of the circular economy.On January 13th, the Ministry of Civil Affairs held a special press conference. Jiang Wei, Deputy Director of the Trademark Application and Promotion Department of the State Intellectual Property Office, stated that the office will strengthen guidance and services for trademark use, continuously regulate irregular trademark use such as "brand imitation," strengthen trademark and brand protection, and support elderly care service operators in cultivating trademark brands for elderly care services. Going forward, the State Intellectual Property Office will further strengthen communication and cooperation with the Ministry of Civil Affairs to fully support the implementation of the "Several Measures on Cultivating Elderly Care Service Operators and Promoting the Development of the Silver Economy," vigorously promote the in-depth implementation of trademark and brand strategies by elderly care service operators, leverage the leading role of trademarks and brands, cultivate more well-known trademark brands supported by technology, quality, and reputation, increase publicity and promotion of elderly care service brand image, and enhance the social benefits and market value of elderly care services.
