Belarus’ gold, FX reserves down 1.2% in Feb 2021 to $7.115bn

<p> MINSK, Mar 5 - PrimePress. Belarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves calculated in accordance with methods of the International Monetary Fund totalled $7.115 billion as of Mar 1, 2021, down 1.2% in Feb 2021, says the Information and PR Department of the National Bank of Belarus (NBB). </p> <p>   </p> <p> “The planned repayment of foreign and domestic government obligations in foreign exchange for the total amount of about $250 million, the sale of foreign exchange by the National Bank at the Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange, as well as a decline in the price of monetary gold, were conducive to the decline in the level of the international reserve assets in February. At that, demand for foreign exchange in the domestic market was, mainly, caused by the implementation of measures on transfer of separate enterprises’ debt under credit from foreign exchange into Belarusian rubles.” </p> <p>   </p> <p> The reserves were replenished in Feb 2021 through the placement of bonds denominated in foreign exchange by the Ministry of Finance on foreign and domestic markets, other FX receipts. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Reserve assets in the form of monetary gold decreased in Feb 2021 by 6.5% to $2.801 billion; in the form of special drawing rights - increased by 0.3% to $537.7 million; in foreign exchange - increased by 4.5% to $2.624 billion. Other reserve assets increased by 24.5% in Feb 2021 to $1.52 billion. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Reserve assets in the form of monetary gold decreased in Jan-Feb 2021 by 7.9%; in the form of special drawing rights - increased by 0.3%; in foreign exchange - decreased by 11.4%; other reserve assets increased by 23.8%. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In accordance with the 2021 guidelines for Belarus’ monetary management policy, Belarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves were supposed to reach at least $6 billion as of Jan 1, 2022. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Belarus’ international reserves calculated in accordance with methods of the International Monetary Fund stood at $9.394bn as of Jan 1, 2021, U.S. $9.394bn as of Jan 1, 2020; $7.158 billion as of Jan 1, 2019; at $7.315bn as of Jan 1, 2018; $4.927bn as of Jan 1, 2017; $4.176bn as of Jan 1, 2016; $5.059bn as of Jan 1, 2015; $6.651bn as of Jan 1, 2014; $8.095bn as of Jan 1, 2013. End </p>

2021-03-06

Primepress