Information notice on the official gold and foreign exchange reserves of theSouth African Reserve Bank as at 31 August 2009 This notice provides detail of the US dollar equivalent of the level of the South African Reserve Bank’s official gold and foreign exchange reserves, foreign deposits received from customers and the level of outstanding foreign loans published today in the Bank’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 August 2009. It also presents the level of foreign exchange forward and international liquidity positions as at the same date.  As at31 August 2009(million)As at31 July 2009(million)Change (3) (million)Gold reserves (1)US$3 798US$3 750US$48Foreign exchange reservesUS$34 156US$31 997US$2 158Gross reservesUS$37 953US$35 747US$2,206Foreign loans-US$652-US$650-US$1Foreign deposits received-US$381-US$426US$44Forward position (2)US$1US$1US$0International liquidity position(Net reserves)US$36 922US$34 673US$2 249EUR/US$ exchange rateGBP/US$ exchange rateUS$/ZAR exchange rateMarket gold price (1)Statutory gold priceUS$1.4274US$1.62080R7.7850US$946.350R7 367.335US$1.41165US$1.65160R7.8050US$934.50R7 293.773  The gross gold and foreign exchange reserves increased to US$38,0 billion and the international liquidity position increased to US$36,9 billion at the end of August 2009.  The change in gold and foreign exchange reserves was mainly due to the general allocation of SDR 1,385 billion (US$2,166 billion) from the IMF, foreign exchange operations of the Bank and valuation adjustments. Foreign deposits received declined as a result of withdrawals by the Government to meet foreign exchange obligations. The Special Drawing Right (SDR) is an interest-bearing international asset created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement other reserve assets of member countries. It is allocated in terms of a member’s quota which is based on its relative size in the world economy. South Africa’s quota is currently SDR1,868 billion. In response to the global economic crisis, the IMF has approved a general allocation of SDR’s equivalent to US$250 billion to member countries with effect from 28 August 2009. 1 Gold in US dollar terms is reflected at mid-market rates. For reporting purposes all foreign currency figures have been converted to US dollar at mid-market rates at month end.2 The forward position comprises unsettled foreign currency spot transactions.3 Figures might not add up due to rounding. ​