Forward-looking information to base decisions on The work on producing background material for the decision begins with an analysis of the new statistics and new events that have occurred both in the Swedish economy and abroad. Using this as a base, an assessment is made of international economic activity and inflation prospects, and a review of developments in the financial markets. International economic  2  BIS Review 51/2008  activity affects the assessment of Swedish exports, while international price movements affect pricing of the goods and services imported to Sweden. After this a forecast is made of economic activity and inflation in Sweden. The Riksbank uses a combination of assessments made by sector experts and results from several models in its forecasting work. The information is weighed together to form a main forecast for how inflation, the repo rate and the economy as a whole will develop. In addition, various alternative scenarios are produced, which illustrate how the course of events is affected by other assumptions regarding central variables, for instance, productivity growth or international economic activity. Gradually a monetary policy report is pieced together. This is an extensive process, where the Executive Board and officials from the Monetary Policy Department regularly discuss and take a stance on different alternative forecasts. Prior to the monetary policy meetings that do not coincide with the publication of a Monetary Policy Report, the forecasting work is carried out in a similar manner.
Muhammad bin Ibrahim: Towards proportionality in practice – financial inclusion and implementation of global standards Opening remarks by Mr Muhammad bin Ibrahim, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia), at the Global Symposium on Proportionality in Practice, Kuala Lumpur, 28 May 2015. *  *  *  Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the opportunity to speak today at the opening of the Global Symposium, with the theme “Towards Proportionality in Practice: Financial Inclusion & Implementation of Global Standards”. Financial inclusion has captured the attention of many decision makers around the globe. We can confidently say that we have been successful in educating the world on the importance of ensuring access and usage of quality financial services by all segments of society. I think it has dawn to the power that be that financial inclusion empowers low income households and SMEs to improve their livelihood and because financial inclusion provides equal opportunities (and hopefully, it appropriately designed, equal outcomes), it also enables the under served to save in a secure manner, invest in productive activities and protect against unforeseen shocks. Financial inclusion, based on empirical evidence also reduces inequality 1, which in turn supports inclusive and sustainable growth, by allowing the poor to stay healthy, stay out of poverty, pay for education and accumulate human capital 2. It is, a very worthwhile agenda to pursue.