HomeBusiness

FULL TEXT: RBZ Statement On Foreign Currency Related Matters

3 years agoFri, 24 Jul 2020 16:09:20 GMT
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn
FULL TEXT: RBZ Statement On Foreign Currency Related Matters

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (the Bank) wishes to bring the attention of the public to the following foreign currency-related issues:

Foreign Exchange Auction Since the inception of the Foreign Exchange Auction System on 23 June 2020, all weekly Foreign Exchange Auctions have been conducted smoothly and bids have been settled on a timely basis on Thursdays, on a T+ 2 basis as per the Foreign Exchange Auction Rules. The Foreign Exchange Auction has so far been able to achieve its main purpose of price discovery in order to reduce exchange rate volatility, stabilise prices and enhance transparency in the management of foreign exchange.

To date, a total amount of US$71.1 million has been traded on the Foreign Exchange Auction, with the number of bids increasing from 92 at the commencement on 23 June 2020 to 290 bids received on the recent Foreign Exchange Auction of 21 July 2020. Funds allotted were mainly utilised for productive sector import requirements including procurement of raw materials and packaging (US$32.1 million), machinery, plant, equipment and spares (US$18.2 million) procurement of medicines, chemicals and consumer goods (US$16.5 million) and services (US$4.3 million). Priority shall continue to be given to productive sector imports whilst service and capital payments will be restricted to no more than 20% of auction allotments.

Bids for funding legacy foreign exchange obligations and/or blocked funds will not be eligible. A payment plan to expunge blocked funds is being developed and will be advised in due course. Individuals and entities with adequately funded foreign currency accounts (domestic or foreign Nostro) are also not eligible to participate on the auction.

Whilst a significant number of bidders have complied with the Foreign Exchange Auction Rules, a few have been found wanting for various reasons ranging from failure to abide by Exchange Control Regulations and failure to disclose to their bankers their foreign currency account balances, especially by multi-banked entities. It is against this context that, going forward, all bidders are required to sign a declaration of compliance with the Foreign Exchange Auction Rules. Failure to make the declaration and false declaration will result in penalties including bid rejection. Banks should continue to conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) to ensure that funds are used for permissible and legitimate transactions and to adhere to Know Your Customer (KYC) principles to safeguard the integrity of both the Foreign Exchange Auction System and the banking system as a whole.

Latest Tecno Pop 8 - now available in Pindula.

$94, Cash on Delivery in Harare & Bulawayo.

WhatsApp: 0783 450 793

Dual Pricing of Goods and Services

Pursuant to the Bank’s Press Statement of 17 June 2020 directing providers of goods and services to display, quote or offer prices for such goods and services in Zimbabwe dollar and foreign currency at the ruling market exchange rate as determined by the foreign exchange auction, a significant number of business entities have taken heed of this requirement. Regrettably, some business entities have not complied with the moral suasion directive. With the amendment of the law now having been effected through Statutory Instrument 185 of 2020 published on 24 July 2020, the law will now take its course in respect of non-compliance.

Banking of Cash

Individuals and entities are reminded to bank cash received from the sale or provision of goods and services as required by the Bank Use Promotion Act [Chapter 24:24]. The requirement to bank cash extends to foreign currency received in respect of sale or provision of goods and services. Banking of cash will enhance circulation of money within the economy.

Sale of Petroleum Products

Oil Marketing Companies and retailers of petroleum products are also required to display, quote or offer prices for petroleum products in Zimbabwe dollar and in foreign currency as required by law. All foreign currency realised from the sale of petroleum products should be banked in the domestic foreign currency accounts which shall be subject to monitoring by the Bank’s Exchange Control Division and the Financial Intelligence Unit. Banking of sales proceeds will assist the efficient replenishment of petroleum products in the market.

Non-Taxable Covid-19 Allowance for Civil Servants

Pursuant to its decision to pay a non-taxable COVID-19 allowance for in-service and retired civil servants, Government advised all beneficiaries to open United States Dollar-denominated bank accounts with commercial banks to facilitate the payment of the allowances.

The Bank is pleased to note that the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) is seized with the matter and has advised that given the high demand for foreign currency debit cards, there has been a backlog on the issuance of cards and that banks expect to clear the backlog by 31 August 2020. The Bank will lend BAZ any assistance that it may require to ensure that the card-issuing process is expedited. Meanwhile, beneficiaries who may wish to use their COVID-19 allowance but have not yet received their foreign currency debit cards have an option to make online payments or make interbank transfers. Liquidating of Nostro balances at the ruling exchange rate should only be at the discretion of the banks’ customers on a willing-seller willing-buyer basis.

John P Mangudya

Governor

24 July 2020

Tags

0 Comments

Leave a Comment


Generate a Whatsapp Message

Buy Phones on Credit.

More Deals
Feedback