CBN Rebuffs Protests, Begins Implementation Of Ban On FX Sale To Milk Importers
Reuters on Tuesday reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has begun implementation of its ban on the sale of foreign exchange to importers of milk through its official window, apparently brushing aside protests from a section of the organized private sector opposed to the decision which was announced last month. According to the report, CBN directed banks to stop processing milk imports on a credit basis, quoting bank sources, in its bid to spur local production and save the country’s scarce foreign exchange. The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had while briefing reporters after the last meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), announced plans to add milk import to its list of items that cannot be imported using forex access through the official window. He had lamented that Nigeria spends between $1.2bn and $1.5bn annually to import milk. In a circular to banks in the country, the apex bank said milk imports will no longer be eligible under payment terms known as...