National Bank promises to supply exchange outlets with enough US cash

Some exchange bureaus in Belarus have run out of dollar notes as a result of a steep rise in the demand for US cash.   Anatol Drazdou, head of the Information Office of the National Bank of Belarus, admitted shortages, but told Euroradio that banks had been ordered to supply all exchange outlet with enough US cash.

"Banks have been given the order, dollars will be supplied. Banks are interested to have enough cash because they profit from sales. Some bureaus ran out of cash because the demand rose sharply in the last two days, while there is not shortage of euros or Russian rubles. I admit it. This is yet another psychosis. Two years ago people were buying up expensive dollars amid rumors of depreciation and later sold the cash at a lower rate. This summer they were buying up expensive euros and now they are buying up expensive dollars. It is OK with us. But we warn: You gonna lose," Drazdou said.  

Meanwhile, black market dealers have been spotted in Minsk and other cities offering US cash at a higher rate than at exchange offices.

Euroradio correspondent Hleb Paulouski reports that exchange offices in Pinsk ran out of US cash a few days ago.