KUALA LUMPUR, 31 May 2023 — Malaysia’s official reserve assets amounted to US$114.42 billion while other foreign currency assets stood at US$601.3 million as of end-April 2023, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
BNM said in accordance with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) format, the detailed breakdown of international reserves provides forward-looking information on the size, composition, and usability of reserves and other foreign currency assets, and the expected and potential future inflows and outflows of foreign exchange of the Federal Government and Bank Negara Malaysia over the next 12-month period.
“For the next 12 months, the predetermined short-term outflows of foreign currency loans, securities, and deposits, which include among others, scheduled repayment of external borrowings by the government and the maturity of foreign currency Bank Negara Interbank Bills, amounted to USD 16.15 billion,” the central bank said in a statement today.
BNM said the net short forward positions amounted to USD 22.99 billion as of end-April 2023, reflecting the management of ringgit liquidity in the money market.
In line with the practice adopted since April 2006, the data excludes projected foreign currency inflows arising from interest income and the drawdown of project loans.
The central bank said projected foreign currency inflows amount to USD2.23 billion in the next 12 months.
“The only contingent short-term net drain on foreign currency assets is Government guarantees of foreign currency debt due within one year, amounting to USD 371.0 million,” BNM said.
The central bank noted that there are no foreign currency loans with embedded options, and no undrawn, unconditional credit lines provided by or to other central banks, international organizations, banks and other financial institutions.
Bank Negara Malaysia also does not engage in foreign currency options vis-à-vis ringgit.
“Overall, the detailed breakdown of international reserves under the IMF SDDS format indicates that as at end-April 2023, Malaysia’s international reserves remain usable,” added BNM.
— Akses Malaysia
