Turkish central bank forex reserves fall by $73 million in one week
The Turkish central bank’s gross foreign currency reserves decreased by $73 million over the period of June 26-July 3. State banks buying liras and selling dollars in an apparent attempt to prop up Turkey’s currency is seen by many investors as a reason for a gradual drain on the central bank’s foreign currency reserves in recent months.
Duvar English
The Turkish central bank’s gross foreign currency reserves dropped $73 million last week to $51.3 billion.
Reserves of gold increased by $339 million to $39.1 billion.
The bank's total reserves (i.e. foreign currency plus gold reserves) totaled $90.4 billion as of July 3, data showed on July 9.
Analysts have been raising concerns over the central bank’s depleted FX reserves and only partial success in gaining access to foreign currency swaps.
Fallout from the coronavirus pandemic brought Turkey’s economy to a near stand-still in the second quarter.
The lira's depreciation risks higher inflation via imports, and has spurred Turkey to seek swap lines with Japan and others. So far, the central bank has tripled its limit with Qatar and used an existing line with China for the first time.
State banks buying liras and selling dollars in an apparent attempt to prop up Turkey’s currency is seen by many investors as a reason for a gradual drain on the central bank’s foreign currency reserves in recent months.