Zimbabwe Cash Crisis: RBZ to Unveil Bond Notes
May 5, 2016
Happiness Zengeni and Martin Kadzere
Zimbabwe Herald
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is set to introduce bond notes to curb money flowing out of the country, while measures have been put in place to promote the widespread use of multi-currencies to arrest the obtaining cash shortages. The bond notes, just like coins that were introduced in 2014, will be backed by the $200 million Afreximbank nostro-support facility which is expected to provide a cushion on the high demand for foreign exchange.
RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya did not provide a date when the notes will be introduced, saying “it is not an overnight process,” as they are currently at design stage. “We are still working on a design, which will be sent for printing outside the country. The notes will not be introduced immediately but probably within the next two months.”
Dr Mangudya emphasised that the introduction of the notes did not signal the return of the Zimbabwean dollar, but was only a safety net against illicit financial flows. “This does not signal the reintroduction of the Zimbabwe currency. The fundamentals are not yet right for its comeback. This is just a measure to curb illicit flows out of the country.”
Maximum cash that can be taken out of Zimbabwe reduced to 1 000 for USD and Euro, and 20 000 for rands, with immediate effect.
The central bank chief said the $200 million facility will also provide an incentive facility of 5 percent on all foreign exchange receipts, including gold and tobacco sales proceeds. The bond notes, which are meant to curb capital flight of United States dollars will be in denominations of $2, $5, $10 and $20 and will be an extension of the coins already in circulation, the RBZ Governor said, adding that they will be at par with the US dollar.
“In order to mitigate against possible abuse of this ($200 million) facility through capital flight, proceeds from the fund shall be granted to qualifying foreign exchange earners in bond coins and notes, which shall operate alongside the currencies within the multi-currency system and at par with the US dollar,” the governor said.
He said bond coins will also be used as discount trade-related paper to provide liquidity for trading operations. The central bank has also reviewed maximum daily cash that can be taken inside the banking hall and at Automated Teller Machines to 1 000 for US dollar and Euro and 20 000 for rands.
Maximum cash that can be taken out of the country has also been reduced to 1 000 for USD and Euro, and 20 000 for rands, with immediate effect. The central bank noted that most retailers, local authorities, learning institutions, service stations and the informal traders were operating without point of sale machines, and a directive was given that they should, with immediate effect install the POS devices to promote the use of plastic money.
With effect from today, the central bank will convert 40 percent of new US dollar foreign exchange receipts and 10 percent to Euros. This is aimed at ensuring wide spread of currencies and minimise against concentration risk of using the US dollar. The central and the business have come up with a priority list to guide the distribution of foreign currency towards competing demands.
“The policy stance will ensure that the available foreign exchange resources are efficiently appropriated towards those sectors of the economy with the capacity to generate forex,” said Dr Mangudya. “This will help reduce the country’s import bill and at the same time enhancing production across all sectors of the economy.” He said to encourage the widespread use of other currencies, payments of imports should be done using the currency of origin.
And for effective promotion of other currencies, product pricing would need to be reflective of the multi-currency system. “Accordingly, in view of the fact that most products in Zimbabwe are from South Africa, it is pertinent that shop owners and businesses should think in rand terms as opposed to abstract US dollar prices,” said Dr Mangudya.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing cash shortages during the past few weeks which has seen some banks cutting withdrawal limits. The major reasons for cash shortages include dysfunctional multi-currency system which has seen the country predominantly using the greenback as anchor currency unlike in 2009 (when multi-currency was introduced) where 49 percent of the transactions were done in rand.
Low usage of plastic money and Real Time Gross Settlement, low confidence and inefficient utilisation of scarce foreign currency have also resulted in cash shortages.
The strong US dollar has made Zimbabwe a high cost producing country, expensive destination for tourists and externalisation continued to put pressure on the country’s balance of payment position. In order to promote a savings culture, the central bank has, with immediate effect, requested all banking institutions to open special savings products which will have a minimum balance of $10 000 or 10 000 euro, 20 000 rands on a term structure of 6 months. An annual compounded interest rate of 5 percent on US dollar and euro balances and 10 percent on rand deposits. The products should be tax free.
Happiness Zengeni and Martin Kadzere
Zimbabwe Herald
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is set to introduce bond notes to curb money flowing out of the country, while measures have been put in place to promote the widespread use of multi-currencies to arrest the obtaining cash shortages. The bond notes, just like coins that were introduced in 2014, will be backed by the $200 million Afreximbank nostro-support facility which is expected to provide a cushion on the high demand for foreign exchange.
RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya did not provide a date when the notes will be introduced, saying “it is not an overnight process,” as they are currently at design stage. “We are still working on a design, which will be sent for printing outside the country. The notes will not be introduced immediately but probably within the next two months.”
Dr Mangudya emphasised that the introduction of the notes did not signal the return of the Zimbabwean dollar, but was only a safety net against illicit financial flows. “This does not signal the reintroduction of the Zimbabwe currency. The fundamentals are not yet right for its comeback. This is just a measure to curb illicit flows out of the country.”
Maximum cash that can be taken out of Zimbabwe reduced to 1 000 for USD and Euro, and 20 000 for rands, with immediate effect.
The central bank chief said the $200 million facility will also provide an incentive facility of 5 percent on all foreign exchange receipts, including gold and tobacco sales proceeds. The bond notes, which are meant to curb capital flight of United States dollars will be in denominations of $2, $5, $10 and $20 and will be an extension of the coins already in circulation, the RBZ Governor said, adding that they will be at par with the US dollar.
“In order to mitigate against possible abuse of this ($200 million) facility through capital flight, proceeds from the fund shall be granted to qualifying foreign exchange earners in bond coins and notes, which shall operate alongside the currencies within the multi-currency system and at par with the US dollar,” the governor said.
He said bond coins will also be used as discount trade-related paper to provide liquidity for trading operations. The central bank has also reviewed maximum daily cash that can be taken inside the banking hall and at Automated Teller Machines to 1 000 for US dollar and Euro and 20 000 for rands.
Maximum cash that can be taken out of the country has also been reduced to 1 000 for USD and Euro, and 20 000 for rands, with immediate effect. The central bank noted that most retailers, local authorities, learning institutions, service stations and the informal traders were operating without point of sale machines, and a directive was given that they should, with immediate effect install the POS devices to promote the use of plastic money.
With effect from today, the central bank will convert 40 percent of new US dollar foreign exchange receipts and 10 percent to Euros. This is aimed at ensuring wide spread of currencies and minimise against concentration risk of using the US dollar. The central and the business have come up with a priority list to guide the distribution of foreign currency towards competing demands.
“The policy stance will ensure that the available foreign exchange resources are efficiently appropriated towards those sectors of the economy with the capacity to generate forex,” said Dr Mangudya. “This will help reduce the country’s import bill and at the same time enhancing production across all sectors of the economy.” He said to encourage the widespread use of other currencies, payments of imports should be done using the currency of origin.
And for effective promotion of other currencies, product pricing would need to be reflective of the multi-currency system. “Accordingly, in view of the fact that most products in Zimbabwe are from South Africa, it is pertinent that shop owners and businesses should think in rand terms as opposed to abstract US dollar prices,” said Dr Mangudya.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing cash shortages during the past few weeks which has seen some banks cutting withdrawal limits. The major reasons for cash shortages include dysfunctional multi-currency system which has seen the country predominantly using the greenback as anchor currency unlike in 2009 (when multi-currency was introduced) where 49 percent of the transactions were done in rand.
Low usage of plastic money and Real Time Gross Settlement, low confidence and inefficient utilisation of scarce foreign currency have also resulted in cash shortages.
The strong US dollar has made Zimbabwe a high cost producing country, expensive destination for tourists and externalisation continued to put pressure on the country’s balance of payment position. In order to promote a savings culture, the central bank has, with immediate effect, requested all banking institutions to open special savings products which will have a minimum balance of $10 000 or 10 000 euro, 20 000 rands on a term structure of 6 months. An annual compounded interest rate of 5 percent on US dollar and euro balances and 10 percent on rand deposits. The products should be tax free.
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