INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Burma: Dollar Losing Ground Against the Kyat

Published: Mon 30 Nov 2009 04:42 AM
VZCZCXRO2393
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGO #0780/01 3340442
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300442Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9640
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2453
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2345
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 5327
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2285
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5839
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9403
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 7024
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1915
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 2364
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0754
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2773
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4715
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000780
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, INR/EAP,
DEPT PASS TO USDA,
PACOM FOR FPA,
TREASURY FOR OASIA, OFAC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL PGOV PINR BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: DOLLAR LOSING GROUND AGAINST THE KYAT
REF: REFTEL: RANGOON 657
RANGOON 00000780 001.2 OF 002
Summary
-------
1. (SBU) The last seven weeks have seen a decrease in the
U.S. dollar's value against the Burmese kyat. Even
accounting for traditional dry season increases, the kyat has
appreciated more than in recent years. Factors may include a
stagnant local economy with weak demand for imported
products, increased GOB foreign currency reserves due to
strong natural gas sales, and a rebounding tourism industry.
The dollar's drop primarily affects the segment of Rangoon's
middle class that earns salaries working for foreign
embassies, foreign companies, and INGOs, plus those migrant
workers remitting salaries from overseas. End Summary.
Dollar Dropping
---------------
2. (SBU) Burma's exchange rate regime is complex, with an
official exchange rate, a semi-official exchange rate, a
secondary Burmese currency in the form of 'Foreign Exchange
Certificates,' which are ostensibly pegged to the dollar but
trade at their own rate, and the unofficial exchange rate.
The official exchange rate of K6=$1 is widely ignored. Over
the last six weeks, the dollar has lost ground against the
kyat (K) as measured by the prevailing unofficial exchange
rate, used by the majority of people. In early October, when
the new K5,000 note was released (reftel), Rangoon's
unofficial money changers traded Burmese currency at about
K1,200 per dollar. The rate dipped to a six-year low of K970
per dollar November 18, and stands at approximately K990
(November 24), with rumors the dollar rate is headed lower.
3. (SBU) Burma traditionally experiences seasonal
fluctuations in the unofficial rate. Explanations include an
increased demand for kyat during Burma's November-February
tourist season and an increased supply of dollars resulting
from fall opium harvests and subsequent sales of raw opium.
However, this year's dollar dip appears more pronounced. At
this time last year, the dollar was worth K1,270.
Possible Explanations for the Dip
---------------------------------
4. A knowledgeable Burmese economist suggested a possible
reason for the more dramatic decline in the dollar's value
versus the kyat this year is increasing sales of natural gas,
bolstering the GOB's foreign exchange reserves. The
economist, several businesspeople, and a currency dealer all
agreed that another likely cause for the dollar's drop is the
ongoing general stagnation of Burma's economy; importers are
bringing relatively few goods into the country and hence have
a lower demand for dollars. Yet another factor may be the
recent uptick in tourist arrivals. Following the September
2007 crackdown on protestors, May 2008's Cyclone Nargis, and
the worldwide economic recession, the Burmese tourism sector
suffered over the previous two years. Quoting an upsurge in
prior bookings, our contacts believe this season will be much
stronger. One industry source told us arrivals are up 40-50
percent and this season may match 2006, the previous
high-point of tourism in Burma. In an environment where
credit cards are not an option, an influx of tourists bearing
dollars can quickly impact a currency market where domestic
demand for greenbacks is weak.
Who Suffers?
------------
5. (SBU) Burmese staff at foreign embassies, INGO workers,
and some foreign company employees are paid in dollars via
accounts at the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank. These workers
have seen purchasing power erode by almost 20 percent in less
RANGOON 00000780 002.2 OF 002
than two months; and the inflation security of dollar
salaries may now be overshadowed by a fluctuating exchange
rate. The considerable number of Burmese who depend on
foreign remittances to make ends meet now are also being
affected, as are Burmese who hold their savings in dollars (a
popular practice among those with the means, even though
possessing foreign currency without a license is illegal).
VAJDA
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