The Zimbabwe will trade unchanged against the United States dollar this week as the official foreign currency exchange rate remained at 81.34.

Yesterday’s auction saw foreign currency allocation rising to US$29,2 million, up from US$26,12 million last week as volumes traded on the foreign currency auction since its introduction have increased by around 60 percent.

The highest bid on the main auction floor was $88.07 (an improvement from last week’s $87), while the lowest accepted bid was $79.

On the SMEs auction the highest offered remained at $86, while the lowest accepted bid was also $79.

Corporates were allocated a total of US$27,39 million from US$24,69 million previously, while SMEs received a total of US$1,82 million from US$1,43 million last week.

The main auction saw 229 successful bidders allocated the US$27,39 million with another 26 bids disqualified. On the SMEs board, 153 valid bidders received the total of US$1,82 million with another 10 disqualified.

Raw materials accounted for the bulk of the allotments with US$11,3 million on the main auction and US$546 149 on the SMEs board.

Machinery and equipment came in second with US$4,78 million on the main and US$243 310 on the SMEs, and consumables, in third on the main auction at US$2,37 million. On the SMEs section, consumables took up US$579 972.