Dollar value touches over K2,100 at exchanges despite CBM reference rate of K1,850

The unofficial exchange rate against the US dollar reaches over K2,100 on the over-the-counter market although the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) set the reference exchange rate at K1,850, according to local forex traders. To strengthen the Kyat value in the local forex market, the CBM set the exchange rate margin within 0.5 per cent of the reference rate for the transaction, selling or buying, according to a notification issued by the CBM on 9 November.
Consequently, financial institutions including the banks and informal money exchanges set a dollar value at K1,850 for buying and K1,855-1,899 for selling.
Nevertheless, the dollar was traded only between K2,105 and 2,115 on 27 June in the informal financial market.
The CBM sold US$95 million at its auction market within three months this year for edible oil, fuel oil and pharmaceutical sectors, to govern the market volatility. A total of $443.8 million were sold at an auction rate in 2021 as well. Last 28 September 2021, a dollar value hit an all-time high of over K3,000 in the black market and consequently, the pure gold reached a record high of K2.22 million per tical (0.578 ounce, or 0.016 kilogramme) in history. Under the guidance of the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods, the Monitoring and Steering Committee on Gold and Currency Market was formed on 17 December 2021 as gold and currency market stability play a crucial role in the trade facilitation.
The objectives of the committee are inspecting and prosecuting market manipulation, checking if there is compliance with payment rules or in the domestic market, and proceeding against those unscrupulous traders who intend to interfere with the free and fair operation of the market under the existing laws, by-laws and regulations in line with the official directives, illegal procurement of foreign currency, illegal trade and taking legal actions against price manipulators. Furthermore, the officials concerned will crack down on those people involved in charging a percentage for money withdrawals at banks as shadow money. — NN/GNLM