Global markets Our Research and Financial Operations Department and the Asset Management Committee, which I chair, at the Bank in Athens, share the widely held view that the US dollar will remain strong in the months ahead [by midyear about 6% above its low point against other currencies in February], vis-à-vis other major global currencies, while in the fixed income, again the US will continue to offer one of the highest interest rates in the developed world.
Further, coordinated regulatory initiatives could be considered in the areas involving standardization of stamp duties on corporate bonds across the states, encouraging public issuance and bringing in institutional investors in a big way. It is also important to broad base the investor base by bringing in new classes of institutional investors (like insurance companies, pension funds, provident funds, etc.)