Yermakova: I do not go shopping – specialists inform me about prices
Euroradio has asked the head of the National Bank if she knows how much pork costs now and why the dollar exchange rate is higher than the promised 5 thousands.
The head of the National Bank, Nadzeya Yermakova, answered the questions of readers of “SB. Belarus Today” on Thursday, November 10. Euroradio phoned her and asked questions too.
At first, we asked Nadzeya Andreyeuna whether she was watching the prices and if she knew how much pork cost in Minsk. The head of the National Bank did not tell us the price but assured that she knew it.
Nadzeya Yermakova: "I am aware of the prices. I do not go shopping myself but specialists present the information to me. They inform me about pork and the other goods, I must be aware of all the prices”.
Euroradio: So, how much is pork now?
Nadzeya Yermakova: "Go shopping and find it out yourself. I am sitting here at the table now and I do not know…”
The devaluation and the dollar exchange rate do affect the prices that are formed freely, continues Nadzeya Yermakova.
Nadzeya Yermakova: “A much higher exchange rate is included in some prices. More than 8 thousands. Even 10 thousands!”
Euroradio wondered why the National Bank was so “mathematically sure” that the dollar exchange rate had to be 5 thousands in September. Why is the today’s exchange rate different?
The head of the National Bank assured that the exchange rate was defined on the basis of the supply and demand. It cannot be 5 thousand now because “the things turned out to be different”.
Nadzeya Yermakova: “It cannot be 5 thousands at the moment. The demand is much higher”.
Euroradio: “But did you think that it would be different?”
Nadzeya Yermakova: “I think we did but it turned out to be different. The demand for foreign currency turned out to be much higher. It is needed to buy oil, gas, energy and to cancel foreign currency credits”.
On the whole, Belarusians are in possession of huge sums of money, says the head of the National Bank.
Nadzeya Yermakova: “The population has sold 490 million dollars since the introduction of the free market on September 14. It means that the sale exceeded the purchase”.
The majority of people who phoned Nadzeya Yermakova asked questions about pressing problems.
“Everyone who phone before you asked me about housing credits”.
Photo by: bymedia.net
