In the first half of October net gold and foreign exchange reserves of Kazakhstan decreased to $2.285 bln

/IRBIS, Oct.17, 00/ - The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) informs in its press-release #033 of October 16, 2000 that in the first half of October net gold and foreign exchange reserves of the country (difference between gross reserves and liabilities in hard currency) totaled $2.285 bln at current prices in comparison with $2.188 bln as of September 30, 2000. The press release reads that during the first half of October international reserves of the National Bank were tend to increase. "In current prices net international reserves increased by 4.4%, or $97.3 mln. The increase in net hard currency reserves by $92.6 mln was due to inflow of currency into accounts of the Ministry of Finance in the National Bank, as well as the National Bank's foreign currency purchases on the domestic market. Gold assets grew by $4.8 mln because of an increase in its price on international markets by 0.7%". National bank also reports that "during the fist two weeks of October growth in net internal assets caused the monetary base to expand by 3.7% (or KZT5 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 half a month (at current price): --------------------------------------------------------------------- As of Oct.16, 00 As of Sep.30, 00 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Net international reserves, mln USD 2,285.2 2,187.9 including: foreign exchange assets 1,776.1 1,683.5 gold 509.1 502.5 Monetary base, bln KZT 140.4 135.4 USD/KZT (at the end of period) 142.65 142.75 ---------------------------------------------------------------------