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) (AFX UK Focus) 2007-10-03 06:41 GMT: Malyasia's ratings balance strong external position, weak debt ratios - Moody's
MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Moody's Investors Service said Malaysia's 'A3' foreign and local currency government bond ratings balances its strong external payments position against its weaker government debt ratios.In its report titled "Malaysia: 2007 Credit Analysis", Moody's said Malaysia's 'A3' foreign currency country ceiling for bonds is based on the government bond ratings and the assessment of a moderate risk of a payments moratorium in the event of a government default.
Moody's also said ample balance-of-payments surpluses continue to provide Malaysia with a remarkably strong external liquidity cushion that forestalls downside risks to the sustainability of its external or public debt burdens.
"Malaysia's external strengths have grown over decades of rapid export-led industrialization and, more recently, because of the ongoing commodity price boom," the release said. More>>
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) Meetings tell plans, seek input on changes at Southeastern
The look of Southeastern School District may change in the coming years. The district held the first of three community meetings Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Bowen to explain the need and possible changes, and to receive comments from district residents.A second meeting was held in Augusta on Tuesday, Oct. 16, and the final meeting is 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Plymouth school.Many factors have led the board to this point, explained interim superintendent, Donald Daily. The solution includes considering an increase in local taxes and closing an elementary school building, probably the Plymouth center. The board is expected to take action at their Nov. 12 board meeting.The district has seen a decline in enrollment from 648 students in 1992-93 (pre-kindergarten through high school); to 680 in 1994-95 (when Plymouth was annexed); to 548 in 2007-08.At the same time, year-end balances for the district have dropped, Daily said. More>> - (
) Farm Bureau unveils tax plan
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Farm Bureau will ask lawmakers to increase individual income- and sales-tax rates by 1 percentage point each and use the revenue to cut property-tax bills for all payers by about 30 percent. Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock announced the organization's property-tax recommendations at the Statehouse yesterday, saying they offer permanent, substantial and fair relief to all property owners. . More>>