The European Central Bank on Wednesday launched a new round of ultra-cheap loans for banks in a fresh move to kick-start sluggish credit in the single currency area.

More than 1,200 business titans united Wednesday to warn against Britain breaking with the EU, as rivals battled for the last votes on the eve of a tightly fought referendum that will shape Europe's future.

As Cyprus emerges from a deep financial crisis, a new low-cost airline will launch next month to tap into the Mediterranean island's resurgent tourism market.

Mobile phones and rising connectivity in Africa will give rise to a new market in mobile financial services, creating explosive opportunities for business on the continent, research has found.

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) estimated that in three years, 250 million Africans without access to traditional banking services "will have mobile phones and a monthly income of at least $500".

Oil climbed in Asia Wednesday after Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen's cautious remarks on the US economy weakened the dollar and traders nervously await Britain's vote on its future in the European Union.

Traders are also waiting for the release later in the day of official US stockpiles data, hoping for an idea about demand in the world's top oil consumer, after an industry group said supplies had tumbled last week.

Prime Minister David Cameron pleaded with Britons Tuesday to think of their children and their economic well-being before voting to quit the EU, as polls showed a razor-tight race with less than 48 hours before the referendum.

Ukraine said on Tuesday it was not hoping for fresh money from the International Monetary Fund this year, but said a payment delayed from 2015 should still come its way.

The announcement by Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman signals the Fund's lingering reservations about the corruption and legislative problems besetting the cash-strapped former Soviet state.

Greece on Tuesday will receive 7.5 billion euros ($8.5 billion) in promised loans from its international creditors, senior European officials said.

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, who is on a visit to Greece told Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos: "The ESM payments will take place today."

Oil prices fell in Asia Tuesday, snapping two days of gains, ahead of a report on US crude inventories and the British referendum on whether to stay in the European Union.

Asian markets mostly rose again Tuesday on hopes Britain will choose to stay in the European Union, but traders are moving cautiously with the outcome on a knife-edge just days before voting.