Foreign exchange scarce? Central Bank says no problem

If you’ve been to bank lately in search of U.S. dollars, British pounds or any other foreign exchange chances are you’ve been told to come back later. Word on the street is also saying that hard currency is even harder to find. We checked with Central Bank governor Keith Arnold and he confirmed that the Central Bank is indeed rationing foreign exchange to the point where supply now falls short of demand. Arnold says that the bank’s actions are in keeping with its policy of maintaining an even year round supply of foreign funds and that the tightening up now will mean that there will be adequate supplies later in the year for the pre-Christmas rush. The level of external reserves is healthy, said the governor, and stands at almost one hundred and twelve million Belize dollars. While consumers may be experiencing some delays in purchasing foreign currency Arnold assured us that the requirements of businesses were being met, particularly for the importation of essential items like fuel, grain and other basic food items.