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Thu 07 Jul 2007Central Bank urges robust public financesThe Central Bank yesterday urged the Government to maintain robust public finances so that they can be used as a "buffer" in the event of a significant slowdown in the economy.A "sharper than expected" decline in the housing sector and loss of competitiveness remained "vulnerabilities" for the economy, the bank said as it released its annual report for 2006, while a weakening dollar and high oil prices were also posing risks.