The Listin Diario newspaper reports that the Monetary Board would meet today to study no longer using Central Bank dollars for the purchase of petroleum and by products. This decision would have a major upward temporary impact on the free exchange market. The measure is seen as part of the monetary program of the Bank and would be implemented due to the low international reserves of the Central Bank. These have declined in the past two months to the point that the Central Bank had to appeal to a pool of private banks for a loan of US$130 million to meet interest and capital payments on the foreign debt.
