Key Economic News to Watch This Week: February 18
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Barely two weeks remain before $1.2 trillion of automatic budget cuts are triggered should US politicians fail to reach a deal on the so-called sequester. Over in Europe, elections take place in Italy at the end of the week, where polls show anti-austerity Silvio Berlusconi only narrowly losing out to Pier Luigi Bersani’s centre-left Democratic Party.
Monday, February 18
Prime Minister of Mali, Diango Cissoko, visits the European Commission in Brussels for talks on his country’s humanitarian situation.
Barely two weeks remain before $1.2 trillion of automatic budget cuts are triggered should US politicians fail to reach a deal on the so-called sequester. Over in Europe, elections take place in Italy at the end of the week, where polls show anti-austerity Silvio Berlusconi only narrowly losing out to Pier Luigi Bersani’s centre-left Democratic Party.
Monday, February 18
Prime Minister of Mali, Diango Cissoko, visits the European Commission in Brussels for talks on his country’s humanitarian situation.
Related News: IMF Approves $18.4 Million Emergency Loan For Mali
David Cameron, arrives in Mumbai for a three day visit with the largest trade delegation ever taken by a British prime minister to any country in the world. Cameron is accompanied by more than 100 representatives from multinationals, SMEs and universities. “India’s rise is going to be one of the great phenomena of this century and it is incredibly impressive to see. Britain wants to be your partner of choice … As far as I am concerned, the sky’s the limit,” said Cameron.
The World Bank and World Health Organisation hold round-table discussions in Geneva to promote their universal health coverage objective.
Mario Draghi president of the ECB is scheduled to speak before the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Committee. EU President Herman Van Rompuy is also due to speak on the proposed budget.
Related News: EU Budget to Be Cut for First Time in 56 Year History
US markets are closed on Monday for Presidents’ Day, while China markets reopen after a weeklong Lunar Holiday.
Tuesday, February 19
The fifth Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, the largest gathering of dissidents and former political prisoners, is held in the run-up to the next UN Human Rights Council session on February 25.
Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum begins in Moscow.
Thursday, February 21
The UN Security Council meets to consult on Sudan and South Sudan issues, North Korean sanctions and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Related News: South Sudan Examining Alternative Oil Pipeline Routes: Report
Related News: Sudan, South Sudan Agree To Set Up “Demilitarised Buffer Zone”
Related News: Russia To Write Off 90 Percent Of North Korea’s Debt
Friday, February 22
The European Commission publishes its economic outlook for the next two years.
Sunday, February 24
Mario Monti, the technocrat prime minister, attempts to safeguard his economic legacy by leading a newly formed centrist alliance in Italy’s national elections. However, recent polls place centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani in the lead, ahead of both Monti and former prime minster Silvio Berlusconi. Bersani has promised to stick with Monti’s course of budget discipline and structural reforms but has also said he will aim for more “social equity” if elected.
Related News: Berlusconi Vows To Refund Italians $5.5 Billion From Unpopular Tax
Related News: Berlusconi Accuses Monti of Caving In To German Pressure
