Central Bank of Uzbekistan: Navigating Financial Systems and Exchange Rates

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Registan Square in Samarkand in Uzbekistan
Credit: pexels.com, Registan Square in Samarkand in Uzbekistan

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan plays a crucial role in navigating the country's financial systems and exchange rates. It's responsible for maintaining the stability of the national currency, the Uzbekistan som.

One of the key tasks of the Central Bank is to regulate the exchange rate, which is currently pegged to the US dollar. This means that the value of the som is tied to the value of the dollar, providing a stable exchange rate for businesses and individuals.

To achieve this, the Central Bank uses a variety of tools, including setting interest rates and managing foreign exchange reserves. These efforts help to maintain confidence in the financial system and promote economic growth.

The Central Bank also works to promote financial inclusion and stability, which is essential for a country's economic development.

Exchange Policy

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has made significant efforts to establish a stable exchange policy, aiming to improve economic growth, full employment, price stability, and a sustainable balance of payments.

Credit: youtube.com, The delegation of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and commercial banks visited IDBank | TERT.AM

The bank's main goal is to transition from a planned economy to a market mechanism, which requires stabilization and structural transformation.

To achieve this, the Central Bank has introduced a foreign exchange regulations framework that includes regulations on purchases and sales of foreign currency, operations of the domestic foreign exchange market, and transactions involving foreign exchange.

The framework also stipulates that authorized banks should not exceed 20 percent of their capital in open foreign exchange positions at the end of each business day.

The bank has issued 40 regulations with respect to foreign exchange transactions to ensure the sound financial positions of banks and safeguard the interests of borrowers and lenders.

To manage foreign debt, the Department of Exchange Regulation and Foreign Affairs will be responsible for monitoring lending arrangements between residents and nonresidents and foreign debt servicing operations once the national currency is introduced.

The Central Bank has also drafted a Foreign Borrowings Law with the assistance of the World Bank, which will cover issues such as borrowing by residents from abroad, government guarantees of foreign borrowings by residents, and reporting procedures for borrowers.

Credit: youtube.com, WHAT IS THE POLICY RATE OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN?

The law is expected to enter into force on January 1, 1995, and will help regulate foreign exchange transactions in Uzbekistan.

The Central Bank has also established foreign exchange rates against the sum for accounting, statistical, and other reporting purposes, as well as for calculating customs and other mandatory payments every banking business day at 16.00 with settlements for tomorrow.

The exchange rates for various currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, Russian ruble, Euro, British pound, and Japanese yen, are updated regularly to reflect market changes.

The Central Bank has been working to establish a stable exchange policy in Uzbekistan, which is essential for the country's economic growth and development.

Cooperation and Partnerships

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan is a key player in the country's economic development, and its cooperation with international financial organizations is a significant aspect of its work. The bank maintains mutual cooperation with several major international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Asian Development Bank.

Credit: youtube.com, Supply chain boost as Uzbekistan becomes first TIPF partner in Central Asia

These partnerships have allowed the bank to access credits for various initiatives, such as transforming the system, maintaining the balance of payments, and financing private business. A special working group, including an IMF representative, is responsible for implementing further liberalization of the exchange market.

The main goal of this working group is to create conditions and develop a strategy for maintaining the convertibility of the Uzbek soum on current international operations. This effort has already shown positive results, opening up new possibilities for joint projects with various economic institutes and large banks worldwide.

The Central Bank's international cooperation has been instrumental in its success, enabling it to implement key projects and initiatives.

About Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a country with a rich history and culture, and its banking system is a vital part of the economy.

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan is based in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, and plays a crucial role in implementing monetary policy and maintaining financial stability.

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The country has a strong focus on financial stability, which is overseen by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan provides currency exchange rates to help facilitate international trade and commerce.

It also regulates the banking sector to ensure that banks operate in a fair and transparent manner, protecting consumer rights and preventing corruption.

Data and Research Methodology

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan's data was sourced from its official website and the State Statistics Committee.

Data for the research period of 2016-2022 was used, consisting of 26 quarterly indicators.

The analysis utilized regression, Cook's Distance test, and Forward stepwise econometric methods through the IBM SPSS Statistics 25 program.

Factors affecting the Central Bank's refinancing rate included the country's inflation rate and the percentage of preferential loans.

The average percentage of total loans and the percentage of consumer loans were also considered.

A regression model was created to examine the relationship between these factors and the Central Bank's main rate.

The percentage of preferential loans was a key variable in the analysis, denoted as X3.

Results and Analysis

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The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has been working hard to keep inflation under control, and it's been making progress. A linear regression model created by the bank shows that a one-unit increase in the Central Bank's key rate leads to a 0.45-unit increase in the inflation rate.

The model also found that an increase in the Central Bank's main rate by one unit will lead to an increase in the percentage of preferential loans by 0.45 units. This is a significant finding, as it suggests that the bank's monetary policy can have a direct impact on the economy.

In order to check the reliability and accuracy of the new model, an investigation was conducted using the Forward Stepwise method. The result was a high level of reliability, with an R2 value of 89.4%.

A linear forecast graph of the main rate of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan depending on the percentage of deposits of commercial banks was made, predicting that when the percentage of deposits reaches 25%, the main rate will be 15.8%. This is a crucial finding, as it suggests that the bank's monetary policy can influence the banking sector.

Credit: youtube.com, The transformation of Uzbek banks and their privatisation process

The inflation rate in Uzbekistan is still very high compared to other countries, and the bank is working hard to bring it under control. A linear forecast graph of the main rate of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan depending on the inflation rate was created, predicting that the main rate will be 15.4% when the inflation rate reaches 20%.

The bank's monetary policy is also affecting the percentage of preferential loans, and a linear forecast graph was made to predict this trend. The result was that the base rate of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan will be 14.2% when the percentage of preferential loans reaches 12%.

The recent influx of Russian migrants to Uzbekistan is causing an increase in demand for goods and products, leading to higher inflation. The bank is working to address this issue, and a gravity model is being developed to determine the impact of this trend on the economy.

6 Conclusions & Suggestions

Beautiful architectural detail of Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis in Samarkand, Uzbekistan at sunset.
Credit: pexels.com, Beautiful architectural detail of Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis in Samarkand, Uzbekistan at sunset.

A key finding of our research is that there is a relationship between the Central Bank's main rate, inflation rate, and the percentage of deposits and preferential loans of commercial banks.

The Central Bank's main rate is influenced by the rate of inflation and the increase in deposits and preferential loans, leading to an increase in the main rate.

An increase in the Central Bank's main rate by one unit leads to an increase in the inflation rate by 0.45 units.

This suggests that monetary policy has a significant impact on the economy, and careful consideration is needed when setting interest rates.

An increase in the Central Bank's main rate by one unit also leads to an increase in the percentage of deposits of commercial banks by 0.28 units.

It's also worth noting that an increase in the Central Bank's main rate by one unit will lead to an increase in the percentage of preferential loans by 0.45 units.

The research recommends studying the policy of lowering the Central Bank's base rate to reduce inflation in the country, aiming to bring the rate down to 5% as set by the country's development strategy.

Financial System

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The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has made significant strides in modernizing its financial system. In 1991, the bank was processing paper documents, but they've since introduced electronic data exchange between regional offices, increasing efficiency.

This move has brought about unjustified delays in processing payments, which is why computerization and automation of payments processing operations were nonexistent at the time. The bank has developed new standard operating procedures for processing transactions.

A long-term plan has been designed to computerize the overall Central Bank framework, which includes the introduction of up-to-date telecommunications facilities like optical fiber technology. The World Bank granted Uzbekistan an Institutional Development Loan, with $5.5 million going toward modernizing the existing payments system.

By the end of this year, the bank aims to achieve complete automation of data exchange between regional offices of the Central Bank.

Accounting Practices

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has made significant strides in modernizing its accounting practices. The bank has adopted a two-tier banking system, which is a major departure from the former U.S.S.R. Gosbank system.

Road Among Tenements in Uzbekistan
Credit: pexels.com, Road Among Tenements in Uzbekistan

This change in system necessitated the introduction of new accounting practices. The Central Bank's new chart of accounts was developed based on international experience and IMF recommendations.

The chart of accounts is designed to be highly adaptable, allowing for the easy removal of old accounts and introduction of new ones without disrupting the rest of the system. This adaptability is crucial for the bank's ongoing operations.

The Central Bank is working to increase the efficiency of its operations through computerization. This includes producing a balance sheet on a daily basis, which will be a significant improvement over the current monthly frequency.

Foreign Exchange

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has a clear foreign exchange policy in place, which includes regulations on purchases and sales of foreign currency, operations of the domestic foreign exchange market, and transactions involving foreign exchange.

The Central Bank has issued 40 regulations with respect to foreign exchange transactions, and has introduced maximum foreign exchange exposure requirements to ensure the sound financial positions of banks.

Credit: youtube.com, Central Bank INTERVENTION in Foreign Exchange Markets

To manage foreign exchange risks, authorized banks are required to report on a monthly basis on how they manage their foreign exchange position, and are not allowed to exceed 20 percent of their capital in open foreign exchange positions at the end of each business day.

The Central Bank also monitors lending arrangements between residents and nonresidents and foreign debt servicing operations, and will manage the foreign debt of the government once the national currency is introduced.

Exchange Rates Archive

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan established a new system for setting foreign exchange rates in 2021, calculating them every banking business day at 16.00 with settlements for tomorrow.

This change was made to provide more accurate and up-to-date exchange rates for businesses and individuals.

The Central Bank began to establish foreign exchange rates against the sum for accounting, statistical and other reporting on February 15, 2021.

From 2011 to 2019, the exchange rates for major currencies like the U.S. dollar, Russian ruble, Euro, British pound, and Japanese yen were published annually.

Credit: youtube.com, Get historical currency exchange data in Excel

You can find these historical exchange rates in the archive section of our foreign exchange article.

The archive section provides a comprehensive view of exchange rates in Uzbekistan from 2010 to 2023.

For example, you can find the exchange rates for 2023, 2022, 2021, and so on, in the archive section.

The archive section is a valuable resource for businesses, investors, and individuals looking to understand the dynamics of exchange rates in Uzbekistan over time.

Foreign Exchange Policy

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has been working on establishing a solid foreign exchange policy to stabilize the economy and promote growth. This policy includes regulations on purchasing and selling foreign currency, operating the domestic foreign exchange market, and transactions involving foreign exchange.

The Central Bank has issued 40 regulations to govern foreign exchange transactions, including procedures for incorporating foreign banks, operating foreign currency bank accounts, and regulating exports and imports. These regulations aim to safeguard the interest of borrowers and lenders.

Credit: youtube.com, The Economics of Foreign Exchange

To ensure sound financial positions of banks, the Central Bank has introduced a maximum foreign exchange exposure requirement, limiting a bank's open foreign exchange position to 20 percent of its capital by the end of each business day. Authorized banks must also report on their foreign exchange management on a monthly basis.

The Central Bank has drafted a Foreign Borrowings Law with the assistance of the World Bank, which will cover issues such as borrowing by residents from abroad, government guarantees of foreign borrowings, and reporting procedures for borrowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan?

The chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan is Timur Ishmetov. He was appointed to this position.

Maggie Morar

Senior Assigning Editor

Maggie Morar is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in business and finance, she has developed a unique expertise in covering investor relations news and updates for prominent companies. Her extensive experience has taken her through a wide range of industries, from telecommunications to media and retail.

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