Total of a country's gold holdings and convertible foreign currencies held inits central bank. Usually includes foreign currencies themselves, other assetsdenominated in foreign currencies, and particular amount of special drawingrights (SDRs). A foreign exchange reserve is a useful precaution for countriesexposed to financial crises. It can be used for the purpose of intervening inthe exchange market to influence or peg the exchange rate.End of period. Up tothe end of February 2004 referred to as the "net open position in foreigncurrency of the Reserve Bank".