Reserves increased by $142 million in January 2016

According to preliminary data, international reserves of Ukraine made up $13.442 billion in the equivalent amount as of February 1, 2016. For the first month of the year, the amount of international reserves increased by 1%, or $142 million, as reported in the message. The National Bank of Ukraine underlines that the increase of reserves for the last month of 2015 was assisted by the placement of domestic government loan bonds, denominated in U.S. dollars. Therefore, the government received $486,1 million.      The reserves increased despite the government’s need to make payments for redemption and management of public and publicly guaranteed debt in foreign currency. $422.2 million was spent for this purpose in January, as reported by the NBU. Namely, $344.2 million was transferred for redemption and management under government securities.