Turkish Central Bank reserves at $86.2B in Oct.

By Muhammed Ali Gurtas

ANKARA (AA) - The official reserves of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) totaled $86.2 billion as of the end of October, the bank reported Wednesday.

Total reserve assets climbed 1.7 percent in October, up from $84.7 billion at the end of September.

Foreign currency reserves amounted to $66.2 billion in convertible foreign currencies, going up one percent over the same period.

Gold reserves climbed 4.7 percent to $18.5 billion including gold deposits and, if appropriate, gold swapped.

On a yearly basis, official reserves of the CBRT dropped nearly 27 percent, as the amount was $117.7 billion at the end of October 2017.

In mid-December 2013, the bank's total reserves hit all-time peak at nearly $136 billion, including some $21 billion in gold reserves.

- Liability side

"Short term predetermined net drains of the central government and the CBRT [foreign currency loans, securities, foreign exchange deposit accounts of foreign banks and residents abroad in the CBRT] decreased by 10 percent compared to the previous month, realizing as $11.5 billion," the bank said.

"Of this amount, $7.3 billion belongs to principal repayments and $4.2 billion to interest repayments.

"Regarding the maturity breakdown of the principal and interest payments, $1 billion is due in one month, $800 million in 2-3 months, $9.7 billion in 4-12 months," it said.

In October, contingent short-term net drains on foreign currency amounted to $27.9 billion, marking a 4.8-percent decline month-on-month.

According to the bank's definition, the contingent short-term net drains on foreign currency consist of “collateral guarantees on debt due within one year” and “other contingent liabilities," which are the banking sector’s required reserves in blocked accounts in foreign currency and gold, and the letters of credit items on the Central Bank’s balance sheet.