October 29th, 2006, 12:06
THAI CURRENCY
BOT steps in as baht goes higher
Overseas-investment rules may be eased
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is considering easing rules for overseas investment to counter the rising value of the baht as it continues to intervene in the currency, which has shot up to a near seven-year high at Bt36.88 to the US dollar.
The strengthening of the baht has been attributed mainly to equity-linked capital inflows.
Tarisa Watanagase, BOT governor-designate, admitted yesterday that the central bank had "overseen" the baht's value after the unit appreciated too much, too soon.
Too high an appreciation of the baht would negatively affect the economy, she said.
The baht opened at Bt36.90-Bt36.94 to the dollar yesterday and shot up to Bt36.88 during the day's trading, before closing at Bt36.89.
Dealers said the baht was expected to move in the range of Bt36.50 to Bt37 against the greenback next week.
Tarisa said the bank may relax rules on offshore investment for local entities to allow greater baht outflows amid strong capital inflows in the recent weeks. "It could be relaxation on the amount of investment or the conditions of investment. We are looking at the possibilities," Tarisa said.....
The Nation
BOT steps in as baht goes higher
Overseas-investment rules may be eased
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is considering easing rules for overseas investment to counter the rising value of the baht as it continues to intervene in the currency, which has shot up to a near seven-year high at Bt36.88 to the US dollar.
The strengthening of the baht has been attributed mainly to equity-linked capital inflows.
Tarisa Watanagase, BOT governor-designate, admitted yesterday that the central bank had "overseen" the baht's value after the unit appreciated too much, too soon.
Too high an appreciation of the baht would negatively affect the economy, she said.
The baht opened at Bt36.90-Bt36.94 to the dollar yesterday and shot up to Bt36.88 during the day's trading, before closing at Bt36.89.
Dealers said the baht was expected to move in the range of Bt36.50 to Bt37 against the greenback next week.
Tarisa said the bank may relax rules on offshore investment for local entities to allow greater baht outflows amid strong capital inflows in the recent weeks. "It could be relaxation on the amount of investment or the conditions of investment. We are looking at the possibilities," Tarisa said.....
The Nation