In the second half of July net gold and forex reserves of Kazakhstan increased to $2.029 bln up from $2,009 bln

/IRBIS, Aug. 2, 00/ - The National Bank of Kazakhstan informs in its press- release #024, as of July 31 net gold and forex reserves of the country increased to $2,029 bln in current prices up from $2.009 bln as of July 14. It is said that ":July was marked by extension of growth trend in gold and forex reserves of NBK. At current prices net international reserves increased by $121.1 mln. Forex purchase operation of NBK on the domestic market contributed to replenishment of net forex reserves by $142.2 mln. Gold assets decreased by $21.1 mln due to considerable fall of world gold prices (4%). The National Bank informs that in July growth in net international reserves of the bank caused the monetary base to expand by 2.1%, or KZT2.5 bln. Following is the table that describes the dynamics of the international reserves of the National Bank of Kazakhstan and that of the monetary base during the last month (in current prices): As of July 31, 00 As of July 14, 00 ------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net international reserves, mln USD 2,028.9 2,008.9 including Net foreign exchange assets 1,525.8 1,499.9 Gold 503.1 509.0 Monetary base, bln KZT 121.6 119.0 USD/KZT (at the end of period) 142.70 142.70 Price of gold (for 1 troy ounce, USD) 277.40 280.65 ------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- * net international reserves is the difference between gross reserves and the liabilities in foreign exchange.