Key Economic News To Watch This Week: August 19
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This week: The United Kingdom releases a new estimate of second quarter GDP results; The U.S. and South Korea hold joint military drills intended to help “ensure stability and security on the peninsula and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the north-east Asia region”; Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta begins a six-day visit to China.
Monday, August 19
This week: The United Kingdom releases a new estimate of second quarter GDP results; The U.S. and South Korea hold joint military drills intended to help “ensure stability and security on the peninsula and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the north-east Asia region”; Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta begins a six-day visit to China.
Monday, August 19
Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta begins a six-day visit to China, where he’ll meet with prospective investors as part of his government’s effort to woo more overseas funding for infrastructure projects and trade. Kenyatta’s delegation may also chart a course toward an energy deal, with initial production of newly found oil deposits in Kenya expected to start next year.
Related: Kenya’s Oil: The Hottest Energy Prospect In Africa?
Troops from the U.S. and South Korea take part in an annual joint exercise to improve combat readiness amid cross-border tensions. North Korea routinely describes such joint drills as a rehearsal for an invasion and the North has warned that the latest exercise also risks exacerbating strains that eased after the North and South agreed to work toward opening a jointly run factory complex.
Related: South Korea Should Consider Developing Nuclear Weapons, Says Top Lawmaker
Related: China Shuts Off Ties With North Korean Bank
A New Delhi court is set to deliver a verdict over a teenager on trial for the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old medical student in New Delhi, in a case that sparked street protests and became a symbol of the dangers faced by women in the world’s second-most populous country. The juvenile court has deferred its verdict three times as lawmakers seek harsher sentences for juvenile convicts.
Tuesday, August 20
The 45th meeting of ASEAN economic ministers is held in Brunei.
Related: ASEAN Attempts to Engage China on Territorial Disputes
Wednesday, August 21
The Federal Reserve releases minutes from its July 30-31 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, which will provide details about discussions that led to continuation of the Fed’s $85 billion pace of monthly bond purchases. The Fed probably will begin to reduce its monthly bond purchases to $75 billion in September, according to 65 percent of economists surveyed by Bloomberg in August.
Thursday, August 22
President Barack Obama travels by bus for two days through New York and Pennsylvania, stopping to highlight his proposals to help middle-income Americans, including his health-care programme and funds for education and training.
Related: Obama Proposes “Bold” Plan To Boost Middle Class
Related: China Investing $250 Billion A Year On Education: Report
Related Infographic: Which Are the “Most Educated” Countries in the World?
Friday, August 23
The UK publishes its second estimate of Q2 GDP. The first estimate showed economic growth accelerated to 0.6 percent from 0.3 percent in the first three months of the year. The second estimate will include expenditure data on consumer spending, government spending, exports and investment.
Related: Eurozone Close To End Of 18-Month Double-Dip Recession
Related: IMF Urges Greater Effort To End Eurozone Crisis
Related: World Bank Lowers Global Growth Forecast As Economy Enters “New Normal”
A general and presidential election takes place in Madagascar.
Sunday, August 25
Leaders of 11 national parliaments gather to discuss regional issues at the Baltic sea Parliamentary Conference in Parnu, Estonia (to August 27).
