By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted the forex ban on rice, cement and other 41 items and also promised to intervene in the FX market from “time to time”.
Stonix News recalled that the apex bank had, in 2015, restricted the items from accessing FX from the I&E window.
According to the CBN, the items were “not valid for foreign exchange and could be produced in the country.
Items affected included rice, cement, palm kernel, meat and processed meat products, poultry, soap and cosmetics, among others.
However, in a statement on Thursday, the bank’s Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin said the ban has been lifted.
“As part of its responsibility to ensure price stability, the CBN will boost liquidity in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market by interventions from time to time.
“As market liquidity improves, these CBN interventions will gradually decrease.
“Importers of all the 43 items previously restricted by the 2015 Circular referenced TED/FEMFPC/GEN/O1/010 and its addendums are now allowed to purchase foreign exchange in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will continue to promote orderliness and professional conduct by all participants in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market to ensure market forces determine exchange rates on a Willing Buyer- Willing Seller principle,” he stated.
Speaking further, AbdulMumin said: “The CBN reiterates that the prevailing Foreign Exchange (FX) rates should be referenced from platforms such as the CBN website, FMDCQ, and other recognised or appointed trading systems to promote price discovery, transparency, and credibility in the FX rates.
“As part of its responsibility to ensure price stability, the CBN will boost liquidity in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market by interventions from time to time. As market liquidity improves, these CBN interventions will gradually decrease.
“The CBN has set as one of its goals the attainment of a single FX market. Consultation is ongoing with market participants to achieve this goal,” CBN added.
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