gold reserves of Russia is a strategic reserve in the form of precious metals, diamonds, major convertible foreign currency reserve positions, special drawing rights, and other highly liquid assets.It can be used by public bodies of monetary regulation to maintain the ruble exchange rate, financing balance of payments deficits, to support the domestic economy.The sum of the reserves of the Government (Ministry of Finance) and the Central Bank.
laws of the market do not suggest a stable, predictable, planned course.On the contrary, peaks, valleys, cyclical development are natural to the modern world economy.To smooth out the effects of the sharp drop, fueled by the financial system, stimulate the production of many countries accumulate a portion of their funds in national reserves.Their global reserves equivalent to 12 trillion dollars.
size of the countries
Russian gold and currency reserves in 2014 (August 1) were equal to 468.4 billion dollars.This is the sixth figure among all the countries.Such a significant amount allows relatively painless endure economic downturns, to invest in long-term projects, to use the funds in an emergency.It should be noted that the stock at this point in history is reduced (to 4 billion in the last week of July).
- highest accumulation at the world "locomotive" - the People's Republic of China.The country is building up strategic reserves.He in 2013 increased by 3.09%, reaching 3.8 trillion dollars.
- third of stocks from Japan in February 2014, they accounted for 1.288 trillion dollars.
- European Central Bank in early 2014 has reserves of $ 771.789 billion.
- more than Russia's international reserves, reserves Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.
- reserve US in February 2014 amounted to 146.057 billion dollars (18 th place).
structure
principle of forming "Gold and foreign currency basket" requires a reserve in the most liquid currency, monetary gold and other precious metals, international financial assets.Exchange rates are interconnected so if one currency in the pair is getting cheaper, the second - in proportion to the more expensive.As a result, the reserve fund has nothing to lose.The structure of foreign exchange reserves Russia is constantly changing, following the trends in the global economy.Before the foundation reserves was precious metals and the US dollar.With the introduction of the common European currency euro dollar significantly pressed.
too high dependence on the US dollar is forcing the country to diversify its reserves.Russia offers to the States concerned to take (create) an alternative global currency.At the same time expanding the share in the basket of currencies of other leading countries.For example, the reserve is significantly enriched the Canadian dollar, British pound, Japanese yen.
- share of foreign currency - 85%.For example, in the 1st quarter of 2013 was 44.7% US dollar, the euro - 40.3%, the pound sterling - 9.9%, the Canadian dollar - 2.3%, the yen - 1%.
- Monetary gold - 8.9%.
- Special Drawing tools - 2%.
- IMF reserve positions - 1%.
Gold reserves
Russia's international reserves is based not only on the currency.Diamonds and precious metals are also included in the structure of the reserve.This ingot gold, palladium, silver, platinum.Gold is the most popular investment in the long term.Although its market value is subject to large fluctuations in the crisis "yellow metal" becomes the most reliable means of payment.
countries differently assess the feasibility of the accumulation of funds in gold bullion.On the one hand, they are indispensable in conditions of severe economic crisis and a possible war.On the other - are in storage a dead weight, rather than to work on the economy.For example, in the United States, more than 70% of the provision - that gold and China - 1.1%.Russian gold reserves in the lead in the CIS - 1040.7 tonnes.However, it is 8 times smaller than that stored in the USA.
volume of gold reserves in 2014
| Country | percent of the total foreign reserves | Gold tons |
| US | 71,7% | 8133,5 |
| Germany | 67,8% | 3386,4 |
| Italy | 66,7% |
2451,8 |
| France | 65,6% | 2435,4 |
| China | 1,1% | 1054,1 |
| Russia | 8,9% | 1040,7 |
Dynamics
Economy of the Russian Federation for the most part built around the production and sale of raw materials.The government has taken a principled position - it wants to get away from the model of resource-based economy and develop high-tech manufacturing.It would take years and billions of dollars in investment.So far, Russia's international reserves based on the sale of minerals and their derivatives.A significant share of export - hydrocarbons (oil and gas), oil products and metals.
If we analyze the foreign exchange reserves of Russia, the dynamics can be traced clearly.It strongly depends on the situation on the raw materials in the world - especially in Europe, the main consumers of Russian gas and oil.For example, in 1999, it was recorded historical minimum reserve fund - $ 10.7 billion.In the same year, oil prices have been minimal in the past 25 years, hovering near $ 10 a barrel.
historical maximum
By 2007, there has been a sharp demand for oil.In July 2008, it recorded the highest value of the "OPEC" (the average index price per barrel of different grades of oil) - $ 140.73.The cost of gas is tied to oil prices, respectively, and it skyrocketed.The government was not ready to learn irruptive flow of currency.Part of the windfall was decided to accumulate reserves.In August 2008, the size of Russia's international reserves reached a historical maximum - 598.1 billion dollars.
Day today
Today's foreign policy situation and lower prices for natural resources are forcing the government to use part of reserves to support the economy, strengthening of the army, to ensure food security.If Russia's international reserves amounted to 494.6 billion 2014.03.07 dollars, in August fell to 468.4 billion. It is obvious that increase their reserves for the near future is foreseen.However, the sheer size of foreign exchange reserves - is not an indicator of economic performance.If the funds are spent for the modernization, research, invested in investments, that money spent now will return tomorrow in the form of new technologies, modern production, improve living standards, improve the country's security.
