JAKARTA, Indonesia. The BLOCK71 Ecosystem BLOCK71 Indonesia is a part of the global network of startup ecosystem builders built by NUS Enterprise (National University of Singapore’s entrepreneurial arm) partnering with Innovation Factory by Salim Group. Since 2017, BLOCK71 Indonesia helps tech startups by providing support, funding, and connecting them with mentors, investors, and programs, with the goal of growing the startup ecosystem. In Indonesia, BLOCK71 spreads across three locations: Jakarta, Bandung, and Yogyakarta. Overseas tech companies exploring business and growth opportunities in Indonesia can leverage our facilities and programmes to better understand the Indonesia market, ‘set up shop’ and expand business networks. Conversely, Indonesia-based entrepreneurs, companies and investors can find out more about NUS research and technologies, as well as gain access to Singapore, Southeast Asian and other International markets through our events and activities. BLOCK71 Indonesia, Supporting entrepreneurial journeys in Indonesia and beyond! Source Link: https://block71.co/indonesia/

ASTANA, Kazakhstan. June 15, 2026 By DANA OMIRGAZY in Nation on 15 June 2026 Delegates of the second congress of Kazakhstan’s Adilet Party approved the merger of the Amanat party into Adilet on June 14, in a move aimed at strengthening national unity and advancing the country’s reform agenda. Photo Credit: Adilet During the meeting, Adilet delegates unanimously endorsed Amanat’s accession to the party and approved the establishment of regional branches across all regions of Kazakhstan and in cities of national significance, according to Kazinform. Adilet Chairman Aibek Dadebay described the merger as a strategic decision driven by a sense of national responsibility and the need to unite political and public resources to support Kazakhstan’s long-term development. He said the move reflects a commitment to serving the state’s interests and responding to citizens’ expectations. The decision was also supported by delegates at Amanat’s congress on June 12. Amanat Chair Yerlan Koshanov stated that the merger responds to public demand and will help consolidate resources and strengthen both human and public potential to advance Kazakhstan’s strategic objectives. Following the merger, the united political organization will retain the name, program, and visual identity of the Adilet Party. According to Adilet Political Council Bureau member Rauan Kenzhekhanuly, the legal integration process is expected to take approximately five to six months. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the decision and thanked Amanat for its contribution to Kazakhstan’s modernization, expressing confidence that party members will continue their work within Adilet, reported Akorda. The congress also approved the creation and registration of regional party branches nationwide, a move aimed at strengthening grassroots engagement, expanding citizen participation, and enhancing the party’s organizational capacity across the country. Source Link: https://astanatimes.com/2026/06/kazakhstans-amanat-party-approves-merger-with-adilet/

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom. July 20-24, 2026. Connecting the global aerospace and defense communities at our world-leading airshow. THE APEX OF AVIATION Showcase your business to a global audience at Farnborough International Airshow 2026, the must-attend event in the aerospace calendar that continues to build on its successes year-on-year. With a wide range of exhibiting and partnership options available, let us tailor a package to suit your company's priorities and business goals. Source Link: https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/fia2026/ how

GENEVA, Switzerland. July 06-07, 2026 Artificial intelligence is reshaping economies, societies, and daily life. Its opportunities are real. So are its risks. No country can address either alone. The AI Dialogue exists to ensure that governance reflects the priorities of all nations, not just the most technologically advanced and that the benefits of AI are shared by all. Committed to in the Global Digital Compact and established by the UN General Assembly, the AI Dialogue is the United Nations platform where all governments and stakeholders will convene to discuss international cooperation, share best practices and lessons learned, and facilitate open, transparent and inclusive discussions on artificial intelligence governance. For the first time, every country has a seat at the table of AI - to have the meaningful conversation the world needs. Source Link: https://www.un.org/global-dialogue-ai-governance/en Watch: Opening Sessions - Global Dialogue on Aritificial Intelligence Governance - Day 1 at Link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1y/k1yd3dlebq

TOKYO, Japan. July 06, 2026. This alliance aims to leverage our complementary strengths by utilizing both companies’ customer bases and financial and payment networks to jointly drive business expansion and create new value across ASEAN. MUFG Bank, Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., and JCB Co., Ltd., Japan’s only international payment brand, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding a comprehensive strategic alliance in the ASEAN region. This alliance aims to leverage our complementary strengths by utilizing both companies’ customer bases and financial and payment networks to jointly drive business expansion and create new value across ASEAN. MUFG Bank, Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., and JCB Co., Ltd., Japan’s only international payment brand, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding a comprehensive strategic alliance in the ASEAN region. This alliance aims to leverage our complementary strengths by utilizing both companies’ customer bases and financial and payment networks to jointly drive business expansion and create new value across ASEAN. Key Areas of Collaboration 1. Strengthening Financial Services for Affluent Customers in ASEAN Leveraging partnerships with MUFG’s partner banks, we will offer card products that provide exclusive and unique experiences and benefits in Japan for affluent customers in ASEAN. In addition, by linking these card products with financial services, such as deposits and investments, we will deliver enhanced value. As an initial initiative in fiscal year 2026 (ending March 2027), we plan to issue a new premium card in Indonesia, which will be JCB’s highest-tier card ever issued outside Japan. 2. Expansion of Collaboration in the ASEAN Payment Domain Both companies will explore collaboration between MUFG’s investees in the digital finance sector and JCB’s payment capabilities. Through these efforts, we will consider expanding cross-border payment solutions and mobile services, with the aim of accelerating the development of digital payment ecosystems in ASEAN. By combining their customer bases and payment expertise, the two companies will promote the advancement of financial services and create new business opportunities and synergies. Building Partnerships with Japanese Companies and Promoting Japan as a Tourism-Oriented Nation This alliance aims to establish and expand a “Japan-led financial and payment partnership platform” centered on MUFG Bank and JCB in ASEAN. Building on this foundation, we will broaden partnerships not only with partner banks and digital financial players but also with a wide range of Japanese companies, thereby enhancing the global reach of Japanese brands and services. Beyond financial and payment services, the alliance will drive new business creation through collaboration with Japanese companies and contribute to strengthening Japan’s presence in ASEAN. Through these initiatives, both companies aim to help build a new economic sphere connecting ASEAN and Japan, while supporting efforts to further position Japan as a leading tourism destination. Future Developments Based on this MOU, both companies will move forward with concrete initiatives. Leveraging this alliance, we will further expand partnerships with Japanese companies and strive to achieve sustainable growth and create new value in ASEAN. Source Link: https://www.bk.mufg.jp/global/newsroom/news2026/pdf/newse0706_1.pdf

BEIJING, China. June 09, 2026. As per the decision of the Board of Directors, Mr. WU Yingchun was appointed as Executive Vice President of CIC. Source Link: https://www.china-inv.cn/chinainven/Media/2026-06/1003005.shtml

MUMBAI, India. July 09, 2026. Notice cum Addendum to the Scheme Information Documents and Key Information Memorandum of Schemes of Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund One International Centre, Tower 2, 12th and 13th Floor, Senapati Bapat Marg, Elphinstone Road (West), Mumbai 400013 Notice cum Addendum to the Scheme Information Documents and Key Information Memorandum of Schemes of Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund Suspension of registration of Fresh registrations through Systematic Investment Plan (“SIP”) and/or Systematic Transfer Plan (“STP”) Further to our addendum dated May 15, 2026 & June 5, 2026, Investors are hereby informed that in addition to temporary suspension of fresh/ Additional Purchases through Lump sum mode, it has been decided to temporarily suspend Fresh registrations through Systematic Investment Plan (“SIP”) and/or Systematic Transfer Plan (“STP”) into Franklin India Asian Equity Fund and Franklin U.S. Opportunities Equity Active Fund of Funds (Designated Scheme) with effect from July 9, 2026. This is being done in order to avoid breach of industry-wide overseas investment limits as allowed by SEBI and in terms with Para 13.11 of SEBI Master Circular for Mutual Funds dated March 20, 2026. The aforesaid restriction will not affect SIP or STP or such other special product registered prior to the effective date and the unitholders under IDCW Reinvestment Option. Investors may note that the total investment in overseas funds or securities across all schemes of FTMF shall be capped at the existing level as of February 1, 2022. As per the provisions of Scheme Information Document (SID) of the Schemes, the Trustees hold the right to discontinue subscriptions under the Schemes for a specified period of time or till further notice. All the other terms and conditions of the Scheme Information Document/ Key Information Memorandum of the aforesaid schemes, read with the addenda issued from time to time, will remain unchanged. This addendum forms an integral part of the Scheme Information Document/ Key Information Memorandum issued for the respective schemes, read with the addenda issued from time to time. This addendum is dated July 8, 2026. For Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Investment Manager of Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund) This addendum is dated July 8, 2026. For Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Investment Manager of Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund) Source Link: https://www.nseindia.com/resources/exchange-communication-circulars

BANGKOK, Thailand. 08 May, 2026 Accelerating Thailand’s Technological Infrastructure and Shaping the Future of Financial Services SCB X Public Company Limited (SCBX) today announced a strategic partnership with Chulalongkorn University, represented by its Faculty of Science and Siam Quantum Square (SQ²), through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The collaboration aims to drive research and development (R&D), and real-world applications of quantum technology in the financial sector, while strengthening Thailand’s long-term technological competitiveness. This partnership reflects SCBX’s strategic ambition to position itself as a regional financial technology leader—advancing innovation not only within its organization, but also contributing to the development of foundational capabilities that will enable Thailand to navigate the next wave of global technological transformation. Quantum technology is widely regarded as a next frontier, with the potential to fundamentally redefine computation, security, and risk management across industries, particularly in financial services. Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, said “Quantum technology represents one of the most transformative forces shaping the future of science, the economy, and society—potentially surpassing even artificial intelligence in its long-term impact. Chulalongkorn University has therefore identified quantum science as a strategic priority, with a strong focus on translating academic research into real-world applications that create tangible economic and societal value. SCBX’s decision, as a leading innovator in financial services, to partner with the University reflects strong confidence in our research capabilities and talent. This collaboration marks the beginning of a long-term strategic engagement that will deliver high-impact research, cultivate the next generation of quantum professionals, and position Thailand as an emerging regional hub for quantum technology.” Mr. Kaweewut Temphuwapat, Chief Innovation Officer of SCBX and Chief Executive Officer of SCB 10X, stated “Quantum technology will be a defining wave of transformation with far-reaching implications for the financial industry. At SCBX, our role extends beyond organizational readiness—we are committed to contributing to the development of ‘technological resilience’ at the national level. Our collaboration with Chulalongkorn University and SQ² provides a structured platform to translate advanced research into real-world applications, spanning frontier research, pilot experimentation, and talent development. We will continue to work closely with partners across academia, regulatory bodies, and global technology leaders to democratize access to knowledge, while laying the foundations of a robust and future-ready technological ecosystem for Thailand.” Advancing Collaboration Through Five Strategic Pillars Under the framework of this partnership, SCBX and Chulalongkorn University will collaborate across five strategic pillars, spanning the full innovation lifecycle—from research to commercialization and ecosystem development: 1. Frontier Research & Practical Knowledge Creation Advancing cutting-edge quantum research with a focus on financial applications (“Banking with Quantum”), including high-impact use cases such as portfolio optimization using quantum algorithms and fraud detection through quantum machine learning. The collaboration will ensure that research outputs are translated into practical applications, while contributing to leading international academic publications. 2. Use Case Discovery & Pilot Validation Systematically identifying and assessing high-potential quantum use cases through structured discovery processes, followed by targeted pilot programs to validate both technical feasibility and business impact in controlled environments before scaling. 3. Talent & Capability Development Developing a robust talent pipeline through internship programs, institutional exchanges, and structured mentorship initiatives—bridging academic theory with industry practice and strengthening Thailand’s long-term capabilities in quantum technologies. 4. Ecosystem Building & Industry Activation Fostering a national quantum ecosystem through industry workshops, Quantum Industry Day events, and innovation challenges, with the objective of accelerating technology adoption and enabling commercially viable innovation. 5. Strategic Foresight & Public Engagement Co-developing the “SCBX Quantum Outlook” report to provide forward-looking insights into the evolution of quantum technologies, alongside public engagement initiatives aimed at raising awareness and enhancing national readiness. This partnership represents a significant milestone in bridging academia and industry to advance frontier technologies. By combining SCBX’s expertise in financial innovation with Chulalongkorn University’s academic leadership, the collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of a robust quantum ecosystem in Thailand and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global technology landscape. About SCB X PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED (SCBX) SCBX is the mothership of the financial technology business group, comprising 13 subsidiary companies that operate across three key business pillars: Banking Business, Consumer and Digital Finance Business, and Platform and Technology Business. In addition, SCBX also focuses on Climate Technology, aspiring to become ‘The Most Admired Regional Financial Technology Group’. The company conducts its business with flexibility and prudence in governance and risk management and has possesses the potential to compete equally in global competitions. About Siam Quantum Square (SQ²) Siam Quantum Square (SQ²), under the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University, serves as Thailand’s leading center for quantum research and development. Its mission is to advance frontier research, develop highly skilled talent, and foster collaboration between academia and industry to build a sustainable national quantum ecosystem. Source Link: https://investor.scbx.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/193165/scbx-partners-with-chulalongkorn-university-to-advance-quantum-technology

SAO PAOLO, Brazil. 02 June 2026 Macquarie Asset Management (“Macquarie”), through Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V (“MIP V”) and IG4 Capital (“IG4”), through its Private Equity Fund II, have entered into a definitive agreement with AD Ports Group (“AD Ports”) for the sale of a controlling stake in CLI – Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura S.A. (“CLI” or the “Company”), in a transaction valued at US$835 million. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and antitrust approvals. Founded with the objective of becoming an independent port operator, CLI has grown under the joint ownership of IG4 and Macquarie to become one of the leading independent port and logistics operators in Brazil. Over the past four and a half years, the Company has expanded its operational footprint, enhanced efficiency across its logistics corridors, and strengthened its position within Brazil’s infrastructure and export logistics sector. The transaction marks AD Ports Group’s entry into the Brazilian market and is expected to support CLI’s next phase of growth, leveraging AD Ports’ global platform and experience in port and logistics operations. The company’s management will remain unchanged, with Gabriel Motta continuing as CEO. “IG4 Capital is proud to have completed another successful turnaround, as it did in the past with Iguá Saneamento. Today, CLI is a mature company, ready to grow by investing in sustainability and in the future of agribusiness in Brazil,” IG4 stated. “Brazil’s agricultural export sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of agricultural commodities,” said Fernando Lohmann, Head of Macquarie Asset Management in Brazil. “As a long-term investor in the country, Macquarie remains committed to acting as a responsible custodian of essential infrastructure assets that help drive economic development, improve connectivity and support Brazil’s role in global trade.” "The outlook for CLI is highly favorable. We are strategically positioned in the Northern Arch, with the operation of the terminal at the port of Itaqui, in addition to the terminal at the port of Santos. Both have been showing consistent performance and with clear potential to evolve even more. The cycle with IG4 and Macquarie was extremely relevant, laying solid foundations for the new phase that begins. We remain confident in our ability to grow consistently and safely in the coming years," said Gabriel Motta, CEO of CLI. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director & Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said, “The purchase of CLI is a game changer for AD Ports Group. The transaction extends our Group’s international reach for the first time into Latin America, and deepens our growing agrifoods activities, one of our core verticals. Under the wise guidance of our leadership in the United Arab Emirates, AD Ports Group is committed to enabling trade in one of the world’s most-important, fastest-growing agricultural commodities markets, which will not only benefit the Group’s global clients, including those in Brazil, but also strengthen the AD Ports Group global network.” In this transaction, Citi served as the exclusive financial advisor to IG4 and Macquarie, and BTG Pactual served as exclusive financial advisor to AD Ports Group. Pinheiro Neto Advogados acted as legal counsel to IG4, Lefosse Advogados acted as legal counsel to Macquarie, and Machado Meyer Advogados acted as legal counsel to AD Ports Group. Source Link: https://www.macquarie.com/au/en/about/news/2026/macquarie-asset-management-and-ig4-sign-definitive-agreement-to-sell-cli-to-ad-ports-group.html

FRANKFURT, Germany. June 8, 2026 Are the upcoming mega-IPOs of SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI a warning sign? Are we already in the midst of a massive speculative bubble? Are these trillion-dollar IPOs the culmination of a colossal overvaluation? Perhaps even an upper turning point for a hopelessly overheated overall market? Speculative bubbles have fascinated me ever since I became active in the stock market. For personal reasons, because I experienced one of the biggest bubbles in stock market history—the New Economy bubble at the turn of the millennium—firsthand and with my own money on the line. But also as a “field of research” for visions of the future, collective illusion, mass psychology, irrationality, euphoria (and disillusionment after the bubble bursts). While bubbles ultimately result in losses for many investors, they are not entirely pointless: they are also phases of experimentation and channel capital into new technologies such as railroads, the internet, and artificial intelligence (AI). The problem with speculative bubbles, as former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke aptly analyzed in my view, is that they can usually only be proven beyond a doubt in hindsight, whereas contemporaries are practically unable to recognize them in advance. (Provided, of course, that one does not succumb to the hubris of hindsight bias.) Therefore, according to Bernanke, central banks should not even attempt to predict or actively combat bubbles, as this could stifle the economy too severely, but should instead cushion the impact of a burst bubble. Personally, however, I already see some parallels between current stock market activity and the dot-com bubble around the year 2000. Then as now, the scale is becoming increasingly massive: SpaceX is aiming for a market capitalization of approximately $1.75 trillion in its IPO on Friday—only slightly less than the combined market value of all DAX-listed companies at present. Galactic! Estimates for the IPOs of Anthropic and OpenAI this fall are also well beyond the $1 trillion mark. Relative to estimated annual revenues of roughly $20 billion to a maximum of $50 billion, these companies would thus be extremely highly valued, with revenue multiples ranging from 20 to 90. It is unclear at this point when these companies will reach profitability on a sustainable basis. (For this reason, some index providers are looking to change their rules ahead of SpaceX’s IPO to allow unprofitable companies to be included in the index in the future.) I view the fact that these IPO candidates are in the red critically because it undermines an important line of argument: that the market leaders (such as Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, or Nvidia) are not burning through cash, unlike some of their hyped counterparts in 1999/2000, but are generating strong and sustainable cash flows. Despite Bernanke’s warning that speculative bubbles cannot be identified with any degree of certainty in advance, investors can still weigh the pros and cons. In addition to the extreme valuations already mentioned, the following factors, among others, point to the existence of a bubble: The dominant narratives focus solely on AI and space travel (just as in 2000, they focused solely on “TMT,” i.e., technology, media, and telecommunications). The hype is certainly being ramped up (“new era”). The SpaceX IPO is specifically targeting an unusually large number of retail investors (amplifying the “fear of missing out”). The IPOs are expected to absorb well over $100 billion in new capital (possibly also via reallocations from existing public companies, which worsens the ratio of supply to demand for shares). An argument against a bubble is that the new public companies sell real products or services and hold compelling positions in markets presumed to be growing rapidly (AI and space travel). Consequently, rather than the dot-com bubble around 2000, the period following Google’s 2004 IPO could serve as an alternative “blueprint”—a period that, contrary to fears of a speculative bubble at the time, was followed by several very strong years for stocks leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. The most likely scenario for me at present is that the overall market has reached a very high valuation level, but we are not yet in the final stage of a speculative bubble across the board, although initial signs of one are already visible in submarkets such as the technology sector. While the artificial shortages surrounding the SpaceX IPO could generate strong demand in the short term due to the bottleneck effect, this approach is likely to further worsen the risk-reward ratio in the long term, especially since lock-up periods for existing shareholders are set to expire fairly quickly. To what extent this scenario is (still) attractive is something every investor must decide for themselves (especially depending on their investment horizon). By Christoph Frank, June 8, 2026, © pfp Advisory About the Author Christoph Frank is managing partner of pfp Advisory GmbH. Together with his partner Roger Peeters, the expert, who has been active on the German stock market for over 25 years, manages DWS Concept Platow (), a multi-award-winning stock-picking fund launched in 2006, as well as pfp Advisory Aktien Mittelstand Premium (), which was launched in August 2021. Further information is available at www.pfp-advisory.de. Frank writes regularly for Deutsche Börse. Source Link: https://live.deutsche-boerse.com/news/pfp-advisory-are-mega-ipos-a-harbinger-of-things-to-come

VALETTA, Malta. May 11, 2026 Representatives of Uzbekistan received two international awards at the Global Startup Awards Grand Finale, which was held as part of the EU-Startups Summit in Valletta. The event brought together participants from more than 54 countries and focused on innovation, startup development, and international investment ecosystems. The Global Startup Awards is an international platform that recognizes startups, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders. The initiative connects innovation communities across 154 countries and 19 regions. According to the results of expert evaluations and international community voting, representatives from Uzbekistan won in two global categories. Rakhimakhon Nugmanova, founder of the startup Peritech, received the “Ecosystem Hero of the Year” award. In addition, Catextra was named “Best Greentech Startup of the Year.” The awards followed the regional final of the Global Startup Awards Central Asia, which took place in Tashkent in September 2025 during ICT WEEK Uzbekistan 2025 with support from IT Park Uzbekistan. The regional event was aimed at supporting Central Asian startups in entering international markets and establishing connections with investors and ecosystem representatives. Catextra’s award in the greentech category highlighted projects from Uzbekistan working in environmental innovation, sustainable development, and green technology solutions. Catextra operates as a platform focused on transparency, traceability, and responsible production in the textile industry. The startup offers tools that allow manufacturers to map, verify, and track supply chain processes. The platform is intended to help companies confirm product origin, improve production transparency, and demonstrate compliance with ethical standards. Source Link: https://daryo.uz/en/-vcpWI0vR Alexander Solomon Report is a socio-corporate media platform of highlights on company news and industry events. The ASR TV Exposé offers higher interests and wider readership in return for mileage. For postings and publicity, email to info@alexandersolomonreport.com

OSLO, Norway. May 7, 2026 At its meeting on 6 May 2026, the Committee decided to raise the policy rate from 4% to 4.25%. Policy rate raised to 4.25% Norges Bank’s Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee decided to raise the policy rate from 4% to 4.25% at its meeting on 6 May. The monetary policy outlook does not appear to have changed materially since the monetary policy meeting in March, but there is substantial uncertainty about future economic developments. At the monetary policy meeting in March, the Committee’s assessment was that it would likely be appropriate to raise the policy rate at one of the forthcoming monetary policy meetings. Unexpectedly high inflation and higher wage growth prospects than previously assumed implied that inflation would become higher than the Committee had envisaged. The increase in oil and gas prices due to the war in the Middle East could push up inflation further. At the same time, the Committee placed emphasis on the fact that it was difficult to assess underlying inflation pressures, and that the uncertainty surrounding oil and gas prices was unusually elevated. The Committee therefore wanted to await further information on the prospects for inflation. “The Committee judged it appropriate to raise the policy rate at this meeting. Inflation is too high and has run above target for several years. The information on the inflation outlook we have received in recent weeks supports the analyses we presented in March”, says Governor Ida Wolden Bache. Since the March monetary policy meeting, the Committee has noted the following: The war in the Middle East is still causing substantial uncertainty about the economic outlook. The temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has not yet led to normal shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil spot prices remain elevated, and futures prices are little changed since March. Gas prices have fallen, while various other commodity prices have risen. Overall external price pressures appear to be slightly stronger than expected in March. In Norway, inflation has been broadly as projected. Twelve-month CPI inflation rose to 3.6% in March, while CPI inflation adjusted for tax changes and excluding energy products (CPI-ATE) was unchanged at 3%. In this year’s wage settlement agreement, the norm for wage growth in manufacturing was set at a level close to our March projection of overall annual wage growth. The krone has appreciated and is stronger than assumed. A stronger krone will dampen imported price inflation. Labour market developments have overall been broadly as expected, and capacity utilisation still appears to be close to a normal level. Preliminary figures for the number of salaried employees indicate that employment has increased further in recent months, while registered unemployment is unchanged. According to LFS data, unemployment has increased slightly so far this year. The Committee’s assessment is that the outlook for the Norwegian economy has not changed materially since the monetary policy meeting in March. Inflation is too high, and there are prospects that inflation will remain elevated ahead. High inflation over time can lead firms and households to plan for persistently high inflation. It may then become more difficult to bring inflation down again. The Committee judges that a higher policy rate is needed to return inflation to target within a reasonable time horizon. The policy rate forecast presented in March indicated an increase in the policy rate to between 4¼% and 4½% by the end of the year. The monetary policy outlook does not appear to have changed materially since that time. “The policy rate forecast presented in March implied the potential need for further tightening of monetary policy later this year. The monetary policy outlook does not appear to have changed materially since March, but the war in the Middle East is still causing substantial uncertainty about the economic outlook”, says Governor Ida Wolden Bache. If the economy takes a different path than currently envisaged, the policy rate path may also differ from that implied by the forecast in the previous Report. New forecasts were not prepared for this meeting. Monetary Policy Report 2/26 will be published together with the policy rate decision on 18 June 2026. Rate effective from 8 May 2026: Policy rate: 4.25% Overnight lending rate: 5.25% Reserve rate: 3.25% Contact: Press telephone: +47 21 49 09 30 Email: presse@norges-bank.no Source Link: https://www.norges-bank.no/en/topics/monetary-policy/Monetary-policy-meetings/2026/may-2026/?tabs=160713 Alexander Solomon Report is a socio-corporate media platform of highlights on company news and industry events. The ASR TV Exposé offers higher interests and wider readership in return for mileage. For postings and publicity, email to info@alexandersolomonreport.com