Gold coins available now in Yangon, Mandalay regions

The gold coin sales have expanded to new locations in the Yangon and Mandalay regions in addition to Nay Pyi Taw, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. The ministry declared the sales of gold coins weighing one tical, 0.5 tical and 0.25 tical through state-run media on 2 September. The gold coins have been on sale at Nay Pyi Taw’s Gems Emporium from 5 September. Gold coins were sold at K2.95 million per tical on 5 September, K2.85 million from 6 to 13 September and K2.8 million from 14 to 16 September respectively.

A citizenship scrutiny card and its copy are mandatory in buying gold coins cash down. The accumulated sales of gold coins stood at 455.75 ticals as of 16 September, according to the Press Conference of the Information Team of the State Administration Council held on 20 September. The State’s gold coin market has expanded to Yangon and Mandalay regions from 23 September other than Nay Pyi Taw, the ministry announced through the state-run media on 22 September. The sales price of gold coin for 23 September was not announced yet the pure gold was transacted at K2.8 million per tical in the grey market.

The ministry commenced gold coin sales intending to govern the price hike in the domestic gold market. However, domestic gold prices remain high tracking the soaring US dollar value against the local currency. Kyat is depreciated at K3,200 against the safe-haven US dollar in the black market. In late August, the dollar hit a tremendous high of over K4,500 in the unofficial markets. Following the depreciation of Kyat, the pure gold price reached a record-high of K3.7 million per tical.

The governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) and officials of the Monitoring and Steering Committee on the Gold and Currency Market discussed matters regarding the stability of the gold and currency market on the afternoon of 14 September in Nay Pyi Taw. At the meeting, the governor of the CBM remarked the further coordination of the departments concerned, gold bar transactions to be made with the banking system and operations of the banks, further support of the ministries concerned and the CBM to achieve price stability, and further cooperation between gold businesspersons and the officials.

Last 28 September 2021, a dollar value hit a peak of over K3,000 in the black market, pushing the pure gold up to K2.22 million per tical. Under the guidance of the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods, the Monitoring and Steering Committee on the Gold and Currency Market was formed on 17 December 2021 as gold and currency market stability plays a crucial role in trade facilitation.

The objectives of the committee are inspecting and prosecuting market manipulation, checking if there is compliance with payment rules in the domestic market, and proceeding against those unscrupulous traders who intend to interfere with the free and fair operation of the market under the existing laws, by-laws and regulations in line with the official directives, illegal foreign currency holding, illegal trade and taking legal actions against price manipulators. Furthermore, the officials concerned will crack down on those people involved in charging a percentage for money withdrawals at the banks as shadow money.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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