KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6): Bank Negara Malaysia says its international reserves grew 0.4% to US$101.2 billion as at Sept 29 from US$100.8 billion as at Sept 15.

In ringgit terms, the central bank said it is equivalent to RM427.7 billion, as opposed to RM432.8 billion two weeks ago, because of the stronger ringgit during the third quarter.

"The reserves position is sufficient to finance 7.6 months of retained imports and is 1.1 times the short-term external debt," Bank Negara said in a statement today.

Foreign currency reserves comprised the biggest portion of reserves at US$94.8 billion, while IMF reserves position was at US$800 million.

Special drawing rights (SDRs) were at US$1.2 billion, gold was at US$1.5 billion, while other reserve assets came in at US$2.9 billion.

Total assets as at Sept 29 stood at RM457.50 billion, according to Bank Negara's data.

Currency in circulation amounted to RM101.01 billion.