The National Assembly took less than a week to reform the law on exchange-related offenses, and it passed the proposed changes in the plenary session on Thursday.

The changes include the imposition of fines on any individuals or firms publishing foreign exchange quotes different from the official exchange rates. Further, businesses will have an obligation to post a notice stating that they were allocated US dollars at the official exchange rate. Additionally, people who purchase US dollars through the Foreign Exchange Administration Board (Cadivi) and use them for purposes different from those stated in their application will be punished.

The lawmakers claimed the modifications are intended to avoid speculation, as they believe that the quotes of the US dollars at rates different from the official rate are seriously hitting prices.

Under Article 16 of the reform, "any individuals or legal persons who may offer, advertise or publish in written, audiovisual, radio electric, or computerized reports or through any other means any financial or stock-exchange data or the quotes of foreign currency different from the official exchange rate will be punished with a fine of 1,000 tax units (around USD 17,500)."