The National Bank of Belarus today officially presented a new graphic symbol for the Belarusian ruble. As the head of the regulator, Raman Halouchanka, said, the symbol of the Belarusian ruble was approved by Resolution No. 25 of the board dated January 27. According to him, the previous symbol of the national currency, approved in 2005, failed to gain acceptance.
“That is why there is a variety of ways our national currency is displayed on price tags and used in everyday communication — Br, BYN, bel. rub. This is not a very correct situation. Taking into account the unsuccessful experience of 2005, we decided to give people the right, first, to propose this symbol themselves, and second, to vote for it so that it would take root better than the previous one.
The symbol has been chosen, and in our view it meets all the criteria: simplicity, convenience, and an associative link with Belarus. There is the letter ‘B’, which is the initial letter in the name of our country, and a horizontal line symbolizing resilience and stability. Overall, this symbol strongly echoes the currency symbols of other countries, while at the same time emphasizing the uniqueness of our Belarusian ruble. Now the question is its adoption and widespread use. We expect that through an evolutionary process it will take its place in the financial system of our country,” Halouchanka explained, BelTA reported.
He also said that measures would be taken to encourage the use of the graphic symbol.
“There will be appropriate recommendations on its use in cash, payment, and financial documents. A vector image of the reference symbol will be available for download on the official website of the National Bank of Belarus. We will work with the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade to develop relevant methodological recommendations for its introduction in price labeling,” he added.
Halouchanka expressed hope that the symbol would soon appear on all price tags.
“I hope that very soon we will see this symbol on all price tags. Our new symbol is very convenient to write by hand. We are used to writing the symbols of the dollar or euro, the Russian ruble. The graphic symbol of the Belarusian ruble also seems very convenient for writing, including by hand.
Therefore, we expect it to gain wide recognition. As soon as it is fully accepted by society and economic actors, it will take its place. We will not force its introduction. We will do it gently but persistently. Some time will be required, but from the moment the National Bank board resolution was adopted, this symbol may officially be used at the initiative of economic entities themselves,” he said.
