CURRENCY UPDATE: $119.02 to US$1 

It is now costing almost $120 to buy US$1, latest Bank of Jamaica figures show.

At the close of trading today, the Jamaican dollar averaged $119.02 to US$1, a record high.

The Jamaican dollar has fallen from $99.33 to US$1 on May 1, 2013, when Jamaica signed a loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which has stressed the importance of devaluation.

While on a visit to the island last June, IMF chief Christine Lagarde, said the Jamaican currency was overvalued and has to endure further re-valuation although she did not indicate the acceptable level.