OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2012. Belarus’ households purchased USD 764.8 million worth of cash foreign currency from banks in October 2012, up 3.3% on the month. Foreign currency sales grew 19.3% on the month to USD 591.9 million, a representative of the National Bank of Belarus (NBB) told reporters.

Purchases of cash foreign currency by households in October 2012 were USD 172.9 million above sales.

Belarusians increased purchases of foreign currency cash from Belarusian banks by 46.2% on the year in January-October 2012 to the equivalent of USD 4.973 billion.

Belarusians sold USD 5.369 billion in January-October 2012, up 50.6% on the year.

Sales of cash foreign currency by households in January-October 2012 were USD 396.7 million above purchases, while in January-October 2011, purchases were USD 164 million above sales.

The average weighted exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble against the U.S. dollar in October 2012 reached 8,554.88 rubles per dollar, down from 8,401.26 rubles per dollar in January 2012 and 6,970.44 rubles in October 2011.