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CBN raises BDCs’ weekly dollar supply to $30,000, stems naira’s free fall

By BusinessNews Staff on January 25, 2015

In line with its resolve to calm the strong volatility observed in the forex market in the past few weeks as well as save the naira from further depreciation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased the weekly supply of dollars to bureau de change (BDC) operators from $15,000 per BDC, to $30,000 per BDC.

The banking sector regulator said the move was also part of measures to deepen the BDCs segment. The latest policy takes effect from the Wednesday, January 28th, 2015 auction.

The central bank stated this in a circular titled: “Review of Weekly Foreign Exchange Cash Sales to Bureau De Change Operators,” signed by its Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Olakanmi Gbadamosi, dated January 23, 2015, a copy of which was obtained on its website last night.

While the CBN stated that it would sell the greenback to BDCs weekly at the prevailing interbank rate, it warned the forex dealers not to sell to the public at more that 3.5 per cent of its selling rate.

It explained: “This is to inform Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and the general public that as part of the ongoing review of developments in the foreign exchange market and in order to deepen the BDCs segment, the weekly forex cash sales to BDCs have been reviewed upward from $15,000 to $30,000 per BDC, with effect from Wednesday, January 28th, 2015 auction.

“While the CBN will sell to BDCs weekly at the prevailing interbank rate, the BDCs are expected to sell to the public at not more that 3.5 per cent above the CBN selling rate. Consequently, all BDCs are to ensure that the designated accounts in the CBN are duly funded with the equivalent naira proceeds not later than 48 hours before the bidding date.

“Operators are hereby advised to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the extant regulations on the disbursement of forex cash to their respective customers, as any case of infraction will be appropriately sanctioned.”
CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele had during the week assured jittery investors that the CBN was “doing everything possible” to ensure that the country remained on the JP Morgan Index in order to avoid the adverse consequences which the country’s exclusion could cause.

JP Morgan analysts had placed Nigeria on a negative watch for the next three to five months following reservations over the country’s foreign exchange position and the bond market which was described as illiquid.

He said the CBN would engage JP Morgan analysts to provide proof of the market’s liquidity. “I am very optimistic that they would see reasons with us,” he said.

The Central Bank, at the end of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting this week resolved to maintain the current monetary policy stance, leaving the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), otherwise known as interest rate, unchanged at 13%.
It also retained the cash reserve ratio (CRR) on private sector deposits at 20% while CRR on public sector deposits was also left unchanged at 75%. Liquidity ratio (LR) was also retained at 30%.

[ThisDay]

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