The volume of cash collected in January-February 2021 decreased by 3.5% compared with the corresponding period last year to 19.721,3 billion lei, IPN reports, quoting the National Bank of Moldova.

The decline was due to the 1% decrease in amounts collected from the sale of consumer goods that represented 54.5% of the total volume of cash. The given development was supported by the reduction in all the sources of cash collection.

The cash released by licensed banks in the first two months of this year rose in volume by 0.9% compared with the same period last year to 20.355,0 billion lei. The given change followed the 2.4% rise (136.2m lei) in the volume of cash released for purchasing currency from private individuals to 5.769,2 billion lei, which is equal to US$332.2 million.

The volume of cash from private individuals grew by 1% to 4.672,4 billion lei or 23% of the total volume of cash. The amounts withdrawn from ATMs and POS terminals represented 19.2% of the total volume of cash, up 3.1% on January-February 2020.

In February 2021, the money in circulation totaled 30.452,6 billion lei, up 2.1% on December 2020.