The Birr appreciated by 0.2 percent in the latest special End-of-Year foreign exchange auction, according to results released saturday. The National Bank of Ethiopia injected 150 million dollars for 23 commercial banks through an irregular auction not included in this year’s schedule. The weighted average rate settled at 154.47 Br to the dollar. Foreign currency auctions for commercial banks resumed earlier this year under Central Bank Governor Eyob Tekalegn, beginning with a 520 million dollar special offering, bringing total injections for the quarter to 670 million dollars. December had been expected to see the lowest seasonal disbursement, with two auctions totaling 100 million dollars. From January through March, banks are scheduled to receive monthly foreign exchange injections of 140 million dollars.

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