OREANDA-NEWS. May 18, 2012. Belarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves [calculated under the national methodology] went up 1.3% in January-Apr 2012 to USD 9.51 billion as of May 1, 2012, according to the National Bank of Belarus (NBB).

In April alone Belarus’ foreign exchange reserves decreased 0.9% on the month by USD 90.6 million.

April’s decline in gold and FX reserves resulted from the fact that the government and the National Bank of Belarus had to settle a few liabilities ay home and on overseas markets in April 2012.

Foreign exchange reserves decreased 11.2% on the month to USD 4.843 billion as of May 1, 2012.

The amount of precious metals and gems in the NBB reserves increased 18.4% in January-April 2012 to USD 2.266 billion, of monetary gold amounted to USD 2.282 billion as of May 1, 2012, up 19% from January 1, 2012, of gold on foreign bank accounts was at USD 371.6 million, of other precious metals went up 48.5% to USD 181.4 million, and of precious stones went up 15.6% to USD 33.3 million.

Other reserve assets increased 19.2% to USD 1.814 million as of April 1, 2012.

In 2011, Belarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves went up 52.6% to USD 9.387 billion.