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The Norvegian krone (NOK) has established itself as one of the top three foreign currencies in Lithuania, an analysis by SEB Bank has shown.   According to the data for July-November this year, NOK buying and selling operations accounted for about 12% of all currency trades in the Bank’s units across Lithuania, while the average amount of NOK converted to the Lithuanian litas was the largest.

The euro was the most popular currency accounting for 50% of all foreign currency trades. It is followed by the U.S. dollar (18%), while the British pound taking only the 4th place (6%).

The average amount of NOK exchanged at the Bank’s counters was equal to approximately LTL14,000. Other Scandinavian currencies such as the Danish krone and the Swedish krona were exchanged at average amounts worth LTL 6,000 and the British pound – LTL2,000.

The most surprising fact is that the Norwegian krone has been traded more actively than the British pound, experts say. The estimate number of Lithuanians living and working in the UK is about 200,000, while in Norway till recently it was only 20,000.

The growing popularity of the Norwegian krone may suggest that Norway has become a very popular destination for Lithuanian emigrants, experts believe.

In 1991-2006, roughly 400 thousand people have emigrated from Lithuania to various countries. Another 74 thousand have left the country in 2010 alone.

Lithuania population census is planned for 2011.

Source: delfi.lt