This approach has allowed the range of products and services to widen with expanded physical and virtual reach, liberalized consumer on-boarding and greater consumer protection. Efficient Payments and Settlements System: What it Means While we have utilized technological progress to advance financial inclusion, we recognize its great potential to also enhance the efficiency of the country’s payments and settlements system.
The Bank maintained its assessment of business fixed investment as “showing signs of picking up.” This rather cautious assessment, despite the fact that business fixed investment  2  BIS central bankers’ speeches  this fiscal year is likely to turn out to be higher than in the previous year, reflects the following: (1) the fact that firms continue to feel that their capital stock is still excessive; (2) the shift of production to overseas locations; (3) the deceleration in overseas economies; and (4) the appreciation of the yen.