Experts split in their hryvnia exchange rate forecasts in 2009

Kyiv, February 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Experts attending a meeting of the Anti-Crisis press club, entitled "Return, I'll forgive you everything: how should confidence in banks be regained?" which took place at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Monday, were split in their forecasts for the hryvnia exchange rate in 2009.

Head of the National Bank of Ukraine Council Petro Poroshenko said that the International Monetary Fund's exchange rate forecast for 2009 is UAH 8.60/$1.

"According to IMF calculations, the average annual rate for 2009 should not exceed UAH 8.60/$1, with economic processes being predicted and controllable," he said.

In this connection, Poroshenko said that more pessimistic exchange rate forecasts debated at various levels are doubtful. He said that the predictability of the currency rate is an important factor stabilizing the situation in the banking sector.