The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has sold US$6 million for the second time this month on June 24. About $6 million was sold at an auction exchange rate of K1,590 per US dollar. On 7 June, the CBM sold about $3 million for the first time this month at an auction market rate. The bank has already sold a total of $9 million for this month. In May, the CBM reportedly sold $24 million at an auction rate. CBM is selling the US dollar at an auction rate intending to keep the exchange rate stable.
The dollar exchange rate against Myanmar Kyat stood at around K1,330 per dollar at the end-January. Then, the rate jumped to K1,730 per dollar on 12 May. With the rising US dollar exchange rate, the CBM has been constantly selling the US dollar at an auction exchange rate since 12 May. Consequently, the exchange rate dips to around K1,600 in the local foreign exchange market. The local foreign exchange market’s data in 2021, the highest and the lowest exchange rate is currently fixed around K1,327- 1,345 in January, K1,335-1,465 in February, K1,420-1,550 in March, K1,550-1,610 in April and K1,585- 1,730 in May.
In 2020, the exchange rate moved in the range of K1,465- 1,493 in January, K1,436-1,465 in February, K1,320-1,445 in March, K1,395-1,440 in April, K1,406-1,426 in May, K1,385-1,412 in June, K1,367-1,410 in July, K1,335-1,390 in August, K1,310- 1,355 in September, K1,282-1,315 in October, K1,303-1,330 in November and K1,324-1,403 in December. Last year, the rates are pegged at K1,508-1,517 in July, K1,510-1,526 in August, K1,527- 1,565 in September, K1,528-1,537 in October, K1,510-1,524 in November and K1,485-1,513 in December. On 20 September 2018, the dollar exchange rate hit an all-time high of K1,650 in the local currency market.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar