The official reserve assets at end-October were US$3.536,95 billion, an increase of US$ 83.56 million compared with September 30, when they came to US$3.453,39 billion, IPN reports, with reference to the National Bank of Moldova (NBM).

According to the NBM, the rise in the official reserve assets was determined by the purchases of currency in the amount of US$68.80 million from the domestic currency market and the net inflows related to the mandatory currency reserves of licensed banks in the amount of US$23.31 million. The rise was also due to the registration of loans and grants in favor of the Ministry of Finance for investment projects (US$11.14m) and the net inflows into the account of the Foreign Assistance Programs Management Office (US$3.35m).

The appreciation of the currencies that form part of the reserve assets against the U.S dollar (US$2.64m) and the revenues from the management of the reserves assets (US$1.25m) also contributed to the buildup.

The diminution of the official reserve assets in the period was due to the payments associated with the servicing of the external public debt of the Republic of Moldova (US$19.78m), the payments made by the Ministry of Finance (US$7.61m) and the reassessment of the real estate maintained in the investment portfolio (US$0.52m).