The majority of the exchanges are found trading a dollar at unofficial rates of over K2,000 although the Central Bank of Myanmar set the reference exchange rate at K1,778, according to local forex traders. To strengthen the Kyat value in the local forex market, the CBM set the exchange rate margin within 0.5 per cent of the reference rate for the transaction, selling or buying, according to a notification issued by the CBM on 9 November. Consequently, financial institutions, including the banks and informal money exchanges, set a dollar value at K1,781 for buying and K1,786 for selling.
Nevertheless, the dollar was traded only between K2,030 and K2,040 on 21 March in the informal financial market. The CBM sold US$95 million at its auction market within three months for edible oil, fuel oil and pharmaceutical sectors, to govern the market volatility. A total of $443.8 million were sold at an auction rate in 2021 as well. Last 28 September 2021, a dollar value hit an all-time high of over K3,000 in the black market and consequently, the pure gold reached a record high of K2.22 million per tical in history.
Under the guidance of the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods, the Monitoring and Steering Committee on Gold and Currency Market was formed on 17 December 2021 as gold and currency market stability play a crucial role in trade facilitation. The objectives of the committee are inspecting and prosecuting market manipulation, checking if there is compliance to payment rules or not in the domestic market, proceeding against those unscrupulous traders who intend to interfere with the free and fair operation in the market under the existing laws, bylaws and regulations in line with the official directives, illegal procurement of foreign currency, illegal trade and taking legal actions against price manipulators. Furthermore, the officials concerned will crack down on those people involved in charging a percentage for money withdrawals at banks as shadow money.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar