Calendar of Economic Events. First Quarter 2016

In response to the low inflation rate, the Bank of Japan introduced negative interest rates and the European Central Bank increased its negative interest rates. Economic policy institutions questioned the limits of monetary policy. The USA and EU ended their economic sanctions imposed on Iran. Introduction of restrictive border controls in the Western Balkans blocked the migrant routes through these countries. The deal between Turkey and EU for processing migrants is intended to stem the inflow of migrants to the Greek islands. To this end, the EU agreed on further financial and political concessions. – Austria limited the intake to 37,500 asylum applications for 2016. The offer to buy back the HETA debts was rejected by the creditors.