Kazakhstan inflation falls to 9.3 percent as base rate reaches 16.25

September inflation was 9.3 percent annually and 0.6 percent monthly.

Zhamaubayev cited monetary restraint, higher bank reserve requirements, gold-purchase mirroring, liquidity measures and government action.

The tenge gained 13.7 percent over nine months to KZT 440.5 per dollar.

Non-resident government securities holdings reached KZT 2.6 trillion, up KZT 786 billion.

National Fund currency sales totaled $2.8 billion; mirroring absorbed KZT 3.2 trillion.

The bank will retain exchange-rate flexibility.

The first-half current account surplus reached $2.4 billion.

Exports rose 25.4 percent to $55.3 billion, with gains across over 80 percent of product categories.

Goods and services imports rose 7.5 percent to $39.8 billion, mainly intermediate and investment goods.

Gross international reserves reached $132.9 billion in September.

Central bank reserves totaled $66.2 billion: $51.4 billion in gold and $14.8 billion in currency assets.

National Fund assets rose 4.3 percent to $66.7 billion, earning $2.2 billion over nine months.

UAPF pension assets grew 6.1 percent to KZT 26.6 trillion.

Contributions totaled KZT 2.2 trillion and investment income KZT 766.3 billion.

Early withdrawals were KZT 490 billion, including KZT 404 billion in the first half, before minimum savings thresholds increased.

Higher commodity prices also supported foreign currency supply.