Interfax reports that the Central Bank of Russia doesn’t intend to increase gold share in its gold and currency reserves. According to the first deputy chairman of the Bank Oleg Vyugin, 10% is the optimal size, but now gold share in the reserves is less. However, the Central Bank doesn’t plan to increase this figure up to the level mentioned — this precious metal is expensive enough and that’s why it is not liquid as a reserve asset.

On November 1, 2003, the volume of gold and currency reserves amounted to $64,93 bln, including $3,74 bln of gold share.