The price of US dollars jumped to Tk 120 in the open market, commonly known as kerb market, on Wednesday amid persistent short supply of the greenback against the growing demand from importers and those going abroad for education and medical treatment.
The new unofficial kerb market rate of dollars was higher by Tk 20 to 25 than its official exchange rate against Bangladesh currency fixed by Bangladesh Bank, reports UNB.
The greenback maintained its upward trend despite the central bank’s recent steps to punish six major private banks and 10 money exchange houses for irregularities in trading of US dollars.
Last Monday, the dollars sold in the kerb market at Tk 116.60. Riding on high demand after Ashura holiday Wednesday, the price soared up to Tk 120, traders said.
Abu Taher, a small businessman, went to in Dilkusha on Wednesday to buy dollars for his business trip abroad.
Taher said he offered to buy dollars at Tk 117, but there was no taker.
He said, “The price has been beyond my means. I’ll wait to see if it comes down.”
While the soaring price has been attributed to short supply some traders blame it also on syndicates which manipulate the rate.
Some syndicates which hold the dollars until if they get the desired price are partly to blame for the crisis, said Osman Goni, a vendor at the kerb market.