Zimdollar downward spiral on official market continues

The Zimbabwe dollar this week lost only $4.66 to close on the average of $912.5828 against the United States dollar on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) foreign currency auction.

Apparently, the Zimdollar has continued to dominate the inflation log table taking pole position.

According to renowned world economist Steve Hanke, Zimbabwe’s inflation is at 484%/ year almost double the official rate.

“In this week’s inflation roundup, Zimbabwe is back in 1st place. On Mar 9, I accurately measured Zim’s inflation at 484%/yr, almost 2x ZimStat’s official inflation rate of 243.8%/yr. Phony measurements from Taguma Mahonde & ZimStat,” says Hanke.

Below is the RBZ forex auction results:

This Tuesday, 14 March 2023, the weighted average moved to US$1: ZWL$912.5828, from US$1: ZWL$$907.9236 that was set on 07 March 2023.

The central bank said a total of US$19,819,940.12 was allotted today up from US$18,079,094.38, which was allotted last week.

The bulk of the allotment went to raw materials followed by machinery and equipment.

The total amount allotted for the Small to Medium Enterprises Forex Auction was US$2,530,187.62 up from US$2,144,924.87.

The total amount allotted on the Main Forex Auction was US$17,289,752.50 up from US$15,934,169.51.

♦ Weighted Average Rate 912.5828 from 907.9236.

How the money was allocated:
Raw Materials……………………………………(SME) US$ 742,403.42 (MA) US$9,572,202.10

Machinery and Equipment……………………..…(SME) US$730,643.76 … (MA)US$2,429,410.70

Consumables (Incl. Spares, Tyres, Electricals, etc)…(SME) US$407,072.60 … (MA)US$1,091,171.52

Services (Loans, Education, Dividends, Disinvestments…) (SME)US$206,857.61 … (MA) US$1,101,088.97

Retail and Distribution (Incl. Food, Beverages, etc)…(SME)US$291,079.27 … (MA)US$1,800,702.01

Electricity ………………………………………………. (MA) US$30,000.00

Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals …………….… (SME)US$99,076.09 … (MA)US$418,023.70

Paper and Packaging …………………………… (SME)US$53,054.87 ….(MA)US$847,153.50

TOTAL Amount allotted for the SMEFX124/2023 ………..US$2,530,187.62

TOTAL Amount allotted for the MAIN FX130/2023 ………US$17,289,752.50

GRAND TOTAL AWARDED ………………………… US$19,819,940.12

Notes
1. Bids with overdue CD1s, outstanding Bills of Entry (BOEs), insufficient ZWL and those with sufficient FCA balances were also disqualified.

2. Some Bids were allotted on a pro-rata basis.