“With proper measures, the dollar could fall to Bs 8” | “Con medidas adecuadas, el dólar podría bajar a Bs 8”

By Stefany Guzmán, Red Uno, Eju,tv:

Former BCB Director:

According to Banegas, restoring the flow of dollars and returning deposits to savers will help bring the exchange rate closer to more balanced levels, reducing the gap with parallel markets.

The Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) issued a statement announcing a reference value for the U.S. dollar, a measure aimed at improving transparency in the financial system. On this, Alejandro Banegas, former director of the BCB, discussed its implications and the future of the exchange rate in Bolivia.

According to the information, for this Monday, one unit of the foreign currency stands at Bs 7.85 for buying and Bs 9.32 for selling.

“Today the Central Bank is once again publishing relevant information after almost two years. This is positive because it allows us to know the exchange rate broken down between buying and selling in wholesale international trade operations,” Banegas said.

Regarding these operations, the former BCB director explained that they involve large-volume transactions, such as exports and imports, carried out by financial institutions.

“If we compare these values with the street market or crypto assets, the Central Bank’s reference rates are lower. However, they are an important signal: as more dollars enter the country, the gap between exchange rates will narrow,” he stated.

The expert highlighted that one of the key factors for stabilizing the dollar is the return of dollar deposits to savers, which total approximately 2.7 billion dollars.

“When this happens, and there is a continuous flow of foreign currency in the economy, we will see the exchange rate stabilize. This also requires freeing up exports and maintaining a constant supply of dollars in the financial system,” he said.

On the future of the exchange rate, Banegas noted that “we cannot maintain a fixed exchange rate permanently; it must be flexible and reflect the market. With the right measures, it is possible for the dollar to reach levels of 8 bolivianos per unit, but this will depend on returning dollars to savers and maintaining a steady flow of foreign currency, within a 6- to 9-month horizon.”

Finally, Banegas stressed the relationship between the exchange rate, inflation, and economic stability: “This year we could end with inflation between 25% and 30%, which will affect purchasing power and could trigger social conflicts. That is why coordinating exchange-rate policies and ensuring financial stability are essential for the well-being of the population and the unification of the exchange rate.”

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