The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) in the years of Ukraine's independence has accumulated over 36 tonnes of monetary gold, Deputy NBU Governor, Vira Rychakivska has said.

"Over the years of Ukraine's independence the NBU has accumulated over 36 tonnes of monetary gold, and we are 47th in the world among other states in these terms," she said in a video interview posted on the NBU's Web site.

Rychakivska said that from the moment of its creation, NBU has purchased scrap precious metals from the public via its regional territorial departments.

"All territorial departments accept precious metals without any restrictions… The NBU guarantees the security of these transactions and their confidentiality. The NBU offers market-competitive prices to the public, and transactions on the sale of scrap precious metals are not taxed under individual income tax," she added.

She also thanked citizens who sell gold to the NBU.

"We're jointly forming the gold reserve of the state, which is a reserve for future generations," she said.

As reported, according to the NBU, Ukraine's international reserves in April 2013 grew by 2.1%, to $25.238 billion, and in January-April 2013 they expanded by 2.8%, from $24.546 billion. Monetary gold narrowed by 7.7% in April (by 9.5% since early 2013), to $1.71 billion.