Tuesday, January 8, 2013

BNM International Reserves At RM427.1 Billion As At Dec 31, 2012


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said its international reserves amounted to RM427.1 billion (equivalent to US$139.7 billion) as at Dec 31, 2012.

In a statement, BNM said the reserves level had taken into account the quarterly adjustment for foreign exchange revaluation changes.

The reserves position is sufficient to finance 9.5 months of retained imports and is 4.2 times the short-term external debt, it said.

BNM said for 2012 as a whole, the international reservese rose by RM3.8 billion to RM427.1 billion (end-2011: RM423.4 billion).

The higher reserves reflected the continued current account surplus amidst inflows of foreign direct investment and portfolio capital.

However, these inflows were partly offset by direct investment abroad by Malaysian companies as well as outflows of other investments.

In addition, there was also a cumulative unrealised foreign exchange revaluation loss following the strengthening of ringgit against selected major and regional currencies during the year.

Malaysia's international reserves, which are usable and unencumbered, are expected to continue to remain at a comfortable level in 2013.

The level of reserves will be supported by trade and investment inflows, it said.

-- BERNAMA

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