CURRENCY EXCHANGE OFFICE OWNERS REVEAL: “Increased Demand for Euros Began a Month Before the Parliamentary Elections!”

Owners of private currency exchange offices said today that demand for euros began to rise around a month ago and that citizens are generally not buying large amounts, most commonly purchasing between 100 and 1,000–2,000 euros, and only rarely as much as 5,000 euros.

Borislav Brujić, owner of the “Pirana” exchange office, said that the most frequently requested amounts were between 300 and 400 euros.

“Higher purchases of euros began before the parliamentary elections on October 25, but people are not buying large amounts of the currency, with the most common purchases being 1,000–2,000 euros,” Brujić said.

He pointed out that demand had been lower since this morning, but that it was uncertain how it would develop by the end of the day.

He noted that currency exchange offices comply with the prescribed exchange-rate limits, meaning that deviations from the National Bank of Serbia’s middle exchange rate may not exceed plus or minus 1.25 percent.

Milan Tadić, director of VIP exchange offices, said that demand had been higher for three to four weeks already.

“Purchases of euros have increased, while sales have decreased. People are requesting all amounts, from 100 euros to 5,000 euros,” Tadić said.

The “Dunav” exchange offices also confirmed increased demand for euros, but stressed that there was no reason to panic.

“Demand has increased to the extent that, for example, someone sells 100 euros, while several other people ask to buy that amount or more. We obtain euros from commercial banks,” they said at the exchange office.

They added that increased demand for euros is also common toward the end of the year.