Baku, Azerbaijan, May 10
By Fikret Dolukhanov – Trend:
In January-April 2018, commercial banks in Uzbekistan sold $150.6 million of foreign currency to the population in the country, the press service of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan stated May 10.
Reportedly, the volume of foreign currency purchased from the population exceeded $646.2 million.
Beginning from February 2018, the volume of foreign currency purchase from population is increasing, which can be considered a result of strengthening of national currency.
After introduction of a mechanism on withdrawing purchased foreign currency from international banking cards, the population's demand for foreign currency amounted to $47 million in April 2018, which is 45 percent more compared to March 2018.
The volume of foreign currency withdrawn from international bank cards through ATMs and cash desks of banks was 35 percent of the currency bought ($16.3 million) in April 2018. One operation amounted to $561 on average.
Since April 2018, commercial banks launched online conversion service on mobile applications, which was positively accepted by banks’ customers. Some 9 percent of foreign currency purchased in April 2018 ($4.1 million out of $46.9 million) was acquired by individuals through mobile applications.
In January-April 2018, 56 percent of the total volume of foreign currency purchased by individuals ($84.7 million) accounted for private entrepreneurs engaged in import of goods.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov