Shortage of foreign currency continues

Shortage of foreign currency in exchange offices is not eliminated.

BelaPAN correspondent reports after his bypassing of exchange currency offices in the center of Minsk on December 23.

According to cashiers, due to a sharp rise of purchasing currency rate people start selling more foreign currency, but it is still not enough. In many currency exchange offices it is only possible to buy the currency sold by other citizens.

According to unofficial information, the banks now give priority to meet their liabilities towards currency investors and therefore cannot provide exchange offices with currency.

Despite 30% exchange fee, the citizens show their interest in currency though there are not many people standing near exchange offices.

In the morning on December 23 commercial banks increased purchasing currency rate by 24-25%. The relevant decision was taken on the recommendation of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus. According to bankers, the decision will increase the people’s intention to sale foreign currency, given that the purchasing currency rate in exchange offices have recovered to the actual selling rate.

It should be reminded that since December 20 the banks, by the decision of authorities, while selling foreign currency to the citizens have started to charge 30% exchange fee. This decision is valid at least until February 1, 2015. As a result, a real dollar selling rate in exchange offices (with the commission) has exceeded Br14 000.