KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)'s international reserves grew 0.3% to US$102.2 billion as at Dec 15 from US$101.9 billion as at Nov 30.

In ringgit terms, the central bank said it is equivalent to RM431.6 billion, as opposed to RM430.4 billion two weeks ago.

"The reserves position is sufficient to finance 7.5 months of retained imports and is 1.1 times the short-term external debt," BNM said in a statement today.

Foreign currency reserves comprised the biggest portion of reserves at US$95.7 billion, while IMF reserves position remained at US$800 million.

Special drawing rights (SDRs) were retained at US$1.2 billion, gold at US$1.5 billion and other reserve assets maintained at US$3 billion.

Total assets as at Dec 15 stood at RM460.27 billion, according to BNM's data, marginally lower than RM460.92 billion as at Nov 30.

Currency in circulation amounted to RM101.45 billion.