/IRBIS, February 18, 2010/ - The International Monetary Fund begin to market sale of gold, - indicated in the report issued by the IMF from February 17.

Reportedly, after the sale of 212 tons of gold to central banks, the IMF will now begin sales in the gold market, gradually, to avoid undermining the market. In September 2009 the IMF Executive Board approved the sale of a total of 403.3 metric tons (12 965 649 troy ounces) of gold. Already sold more than half of that amount to several central banks and the IMF is currently intends to sell the remaining 191.3 tons of gold.

IMF says it will continue to occupy a significant portion of its assets in gold. Sales volume of 403.3 tons will reduce the IMF's gold reserves by about one-eighth part.

With this, the IMF said that the official interest in the sales of IMF gold was significant and amounted to 212 tons today. Proceeds from these sales totaled nearly $ 7.2 billion, or slightly more than 4.5 billion SDRs.

"Although the period of sales for official structures are now canceled, the IMF remains ready to respond to the interest in gold, the official authorities", - stated in the message.

It was reported earlier that the IMF has carried out last year selling 200 tons of gold to the Reserve Bank of India amounting to $ 6.7 billion was also sold to the Bank of Mauritius 2 tons worth $ 72 million, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka - 10 tons worth $ 375 million .

[2010-02-18]