Kazakhstan’s central bank dismisses rumors of looming bankruptcyFebruary 18, 2014 - 21:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Kazakhstan’s central bank sought to temper concerns among savers Tuesday, Feb 18, by dismissing rumors of looming bankruptcy at several lenders in the oil-rich Central Asian nation, RIA Novosti reports. National Bank chairman Kairat Kelimbetov in a statement described as unfounded the rumors apparently circulated by mobile text messages about the poor financial conditions at a number of banks, which has reportedly led to a spike in demand for foreign currency. “The National Bank confirms that this information is false, speculative and misleading and it is aiming to destabilize the country’s banking system,” Kelimbetov said. The three banks at the center of the bankruptcy rumors are Alliance, Center Credit and Kaspi. The banks had earlier issued a joint statement seeking to reassure clients. The National Bank and the lenders called on law enforcement bodies to bring those responsible for spreading the rumors to justice. Kazakhstan devalued its national currency, the tenge, by 18.9 percent on February 11. Devaluation of the tenge followed the weakening of the ruble, which last month fell to its lowest level against the dollar since March 2009. Currencies in a number of developing economies, including Russia, Turkey, Argentina and India, have seen a substantial drop in value amid fears of slowing growth and as an effect of US monetary policy to restrict the amount of dollars in circulation. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | U.S. welcomes Armenia, Azerbaijan’s border delimitation announcement Blinken said it is an important step towards concluding a durable and dignified peace agreement. Residents Of border villages protest as Armenia, Azerbaijan agree on delimitation Residents of several Armenian communities in the northeastern Tavush province began protests late on Friday. European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. |