logo
Morocco's central bank explores digital currency cross-border payments

Morocco's central bank explores digital currency cross-border payments

CNA4 days ago
RABAT :Morocco's central bank was exploring the use of its own digital currency for peer-to-peer and cross border payments, bank governor Abdellatif Jouahri said on Monday.
A central bank digital currency (CBDC) is controlled by the central bank, in contrast to cryptocurrencies that are usually decentralised.
Cryptocurrencies have been banned in Morocco since 2017, but the public continues to use them underground, circumventing restrictions.
The bank has been working with the IMF and the World Bank to assess the payment system impacts of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), Jouahri told a conference in Rabat.
The Moroccan central bank, together with its Egyptian peer and the World Bank, was also exploring the use of the CBDC for cross-border transfers, he said.
A draft law on crypto assets is currently under review by the finance ministry before entering the adoption process, Jouahri said last month.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

IMF's board approves $625-million loan deal for Chad
IMF's board approves $625-million loan deal for Chad

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

IMF's board approves $625-million loan deal for Chad

Find out what's new on ST website and app. A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo The International Monetary Fund's executive board approved Chad's $625-million lending programme for four years, including an immediate disbursement of $38.5 million, the IMF said in a statement on Friday. The program, finalized in May between Central African officials and IMF staff, aims to ensure Chad's fiscal sustainability, create room for development projects, expand targeted social spending to fight poverty, and enhance governance and the business environment to promote private sector growth, the IMF said. That will in turn help with implementing an ambitious national development blueprint that requires $30 billion in public and private investment in sectors such as roads, electricity, and the digital economy. The plan, due to be launched in Abu Dhabi in September, should lead to average annual economic growth of 8% and help keep the debt level at 32% of gross domestic product over the 2025-2030 period, the country's finance minister said in June. Chad, whose junta leader was sworn in after an election last year, has been under pressure from declining oil prices, development assistance cuts, and regional instability. It hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees from Sudan's civil war who live in dire shelter conditions due to funding shortages. REUTERS

Sustaining Sri Lanka's reforms critical to safe-guarding macroeconomic stability, IMF says
Sustaining Sri Lanka's reforms critical to safe-guarding macroeconomic stability, IMF says

Straits Times

time16 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Sustaining Sri Lanka's reforms critical to safe-guarding macroeconomic stability, IMF says

Find out what's new on ST website and app. Supported by a US$2.9 billion (S$3.7 billion) programme from the International Monetary Fund, Sri Lanka is gradually recovering from its worst financial crisis in decades, triggered by a record dollar shortage in 2022. WASHINGTON - Sustaining Sri Lanka's reform momentum is critical to safeguarding the country's macroeconomic stability, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on July 25 after its staff concluded a visit to the island nation. Supported by a US$2.9 billion (S$3.7 billion) programme from the global lender, Sri Lanka is gradually recovering from its worst financial crisis in decades, triggered by a record dollar shortage in 2022 . Sri Lanka's economy grew by 5 per cent in 2024, and the World Bank predicts it will post 3.5 per cent growth in 2025. But the island nation needs to tackle global headwinds from 30 per cent US tariffs, which could impact about $3 billion in exports . Colombo is in talks with Washington to attempt to reduce the tariff rate before it is implemented on Aug 1. 'While the economic outlook is positive, downside risks have increased on the back of potentially high tariffs on Sri Lanka's exports, persistent trade policy uncertainty, and heightened geopolitical tensions,' said Mr Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, said in a statement after wrapping up a visit to Colombo this week. Any shocks from the US tariffs will be addressed within the IMF programme, he added. Sri Lanka's upcoming budget, expected to be presented to Parliament in November, will need to include stronger tax revenues and lower public spending to maintain a primary balance target of 2.3 per cent of GDP in the medium-term, the IMF said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore HDB resale price growth moderates in Q2, more flats sold Singapore Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Business Microsoft Singapore managing director Lee Hui Li dies while on sabbatical Singapore Private residential home prices up 1 per cent in Q2: URA Life Navigating tight carparks in bigger and bigger cars Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly 'Monetary policy should remain prudent and prioritise price stability,' the statement said backing continued central bank independence. Sri Lanka held its benchmark interest rate steady at 7.75 per cent on July 23, but the central bank chief said further easing was possible as the island nation awaits the outcome of tariff talks with the US. Apparel, Sri Lanka's second-largest foreign exchange earner, is particularly exposed – the sector exports 40 per cent of its output to the US and brought in $4.8 billion in 2024. It employs around 300,000 people, most of them women. REUTERS

IMF reaches staff-level agreement for $2 billion disbursement to Argentina
IMF reaches staff-level agreement for $2 billion disbursement to Argentina

Straits Times

timea day ago

  • Straits Times

IMF reaches staff-level agreement for $2 billion disbursement to Argentina

Find out what's new on ST website and app. A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday it has reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of its extended fund facility with Argentina, potentially unlocking about $2 billion for the economically embattled Latin American nation. The executive board meeting for the review, part of Argentina's $20 billion loan program with the lender, is expected to take place later this month, the IMF said in a statement. The IMF said the program had started off strongly "despite a more challenging external backdrop," with Argentina's inflation and poverty coming down while growth has ticked up. "Notably, Argentina has re-accessed international capital markets earlier than anticipated," the IMF added. The lender said that agreements had been reached with Argentina on safeguarding its fiscal anchor, building up reserves and making the drop in inflation last. REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store