Central Bank Governor Gregory Marchenko in favor of raising retirement age for women
In an interview for KazTag Agency early March Gregory Marchenko said that “raising the retirement age for women up to 63 y.o. is an issue of gender equality.
Central Bank Governor does not rule out the key rate may be further slashed in May
Earlier the Bank decided to set the key rate at 6.5% starting from April 1, which is the lowest rate ever.
Stressed Assets Fund to buy out bad loans from banks starting from May
The vehicle will be used to buy out bad loans not related to the real estate market: Central Bank Governor.
KazMunaiGas to issue bonds at the APR of 6% to finance Kashagan: Central Bank Governor
The National Oil Fund assets managed by the National Bank will be used to purchase the bonds.
Kazakhmys sold gold worth $115 million to Kazakhstan National Bank
Kazakhmys corporation sold gold worth $115 million to Kazakhstan National Bank in the first quarter of 2012.
Toxic assets fund under the National Bank of Kazakhstan launched
Should the toxic assets fund be successful, second tier banks will get rid of toxic assets worth $2 billion: Central Bank Governor.
Kazakhstan Central Bank slashes its key rate
Previously the key rate had been slashed February 14, 2012 from 7.5% to 7%.
Central Bank Governor on Islamic financial industry in Kazakhstan
The Government is developing an Islamic Finance Development Roadmap before 2020.
It is prematurely to talk of a single currency within the Customs Union: Central Bank Governor
First of all, the member states would have to concert major macroeconomic parameters just like European nations did when formulating Maastricht criteria.
National Bank preparing for e-tenge
Kazakhstan National Bank is working on implementation of e-tenge electronic money system.
National Bank purchased 20 tons of gold since November 2011
As of March 1, 2012 the Bank’s gold and currency reserves made up $35.352 billion, with the currency reserves standing at $30.072 billion.
Central Bank Governor on the Tenge strengthening
The external conditions for Kazakhstan, a commodity exporter, are extremely favorable: Gregory Marchenko.
Massimov signed joint statement of government and National Bank
Karim Massimov signed a joint statement of Kazakhstan government and the National Bank on the economic policy in 2012.
$3-3.5 billion of the National Oil Fund money may be injected into investment projects in 2013-2016
In his State of the Nation Address January 27, 2012, President Nazarbayev suggested the National Oil Fund money be used in the form of loans to the national economy rather than kept with foreign banks.
Kazakhstan’s National Bank becomes a member of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB)
The membership will enable the National Bank to rely on effective support of the Organization to introduce and regulate Islamic financial services in Kazakhstan.
Prices for real estate in Almaty are not set to drop: Central Bank Governor
In a separate statement he didn’t rule out a possibility of a single currency within the Common Economic Space within 8-10 years’ time.
National Oil Fund assets to finance projects involving strategic investors: Central Bank Governor
He also stressed that according to the National Bank’s estimates, in 2012 funds of the National Oil Fund may not be needed for such projects.
Kazakhstan has enough funds to withstand a financial crisis: National Bank Governor
According to him, the major issue how to manage the funds. The management, in its turn, will depend on possible manifestations of the anticipated crisis.
National Bank slashes key rate
In April the key rate could be slashed even further if the inflation rate remains at the current level: National Bank’s Governor
National Bank statistics
Assets of the current 38 second-tier Kazakhstan’s banks as of January 1, 2012 made up $86.5 billion, growing by 6.5% throughout 2011.