Source: Gibbs Dube, VOA Zimbabwe
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe says it will introduce bond notes Monday with a total value of $12 million.
In a statement, the bank said Saturday, “The bond notes will be released into the market through normal banking channels in small denominations of $2 and $5 to fund export incentives of up to 5% which will be paid to exporters of goods and services and diaspora remittances.
“The initial release of bond notes shall be in an amount of $10 million in denominations of $2 and $2 million in $1 bond coins. The features of the bond notes will be released simultaneously with the bond notes.”
The central bank said the use of bond notes within the multi-currency exchange system, which are anchored to the US$200 million facility will operate along the same lines as bond coins.
The RBZ did not clearly state in its press release the source of the bond notes facility, which is said to be the African Export and Import Bank. This bank has not officially acknowledged that it is funding the scheme.
According to the RBZ, the bond notes are pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. “The banking public is advised that no new accounts will be opened as the bond notes would be deposited into existing US dollar accounts.
“In line with the bank’s thrust to promote a less cash society through the use of plastic money, withdrawal limits of bond notes have been set at a maximum of $50 per day and a maximum of $150 per week.”
The RBZ stressed that this measure is in tandem with the objective of the central bank to release bond notes into the market on a measured basis which is critical to mitigate against abuse of bond notes.
It further said the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has engaged and agreed with the Retailers Association of Zimbabwe, fuel companies, representatives of the various business associations and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe on the use and acceptability of bond notes as a medium of exchange in the country.
“The Reserve Bank would like to request the public to report any form of malpractice and abuse of bond notes including but not limited to hoarding, defacing, disfiguring or unlawful use of notes and manipulation by person or banks or currency dealers or traders in connection with the use of bond notes. Such malpractices should be reported to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on toll free numbers Telone – 08006009 and Econet – 0808677”
Source: Gibbs Dube, VOA Zimbabwe