KYIV, April 4 – Ukraine’s forex reserves increased by 2.1%, to $20.63 billion in March, according to preliminary data posted on the website of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).

According to the central bank, the increase in international reserves in March was provided by such factors as obtaining a loan guaranteed by the World Bank in the amount of EUR512 million, proceeds from the placement of bonds in foreign currency ($357.1 million from the sale of eurobonds, $159.8 million and EUR5.4 million from government domestic loan bonds in foreign currency). In addition, the net purchase of currency by the NBU on the interbank foreign exchange market provided replenishment of reserves by $162.2 million.