KIEV, Aug. 10 - The National Bank of Ukraine plans to conduct a tougher monetary policy than that contained in the International Monetary Fund’s stand-by program, said bank First Deputy Chairman Anatoliy Shapovalov.

The decision aims to ensure stability of the hryvnia exchange rate, Shapovalov said.

Six percent is an acceptable rate of growth of the monetary base in 2009 given the current economy and the situation on currency and loan markets, under a decision by the NBU board approved at a meeting on Thursday, he said.