DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - The Tanzanian shilling hit a new all-time low at 1,823 against the dollar on Thursday, dragged by increased dollar demand from importers and uncertainty in the market over central bank measures aimed at supporting the local currency. At 1005 GMT, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 1,815/1,825, compared with Wednesday's close of 1,795/1,805. "There is high demand and no export earnings to support the shilling ... the central bank has been selling very small amounts of dollars in the market," said Mohamed Laseko, a trader at Bank of Africa Tanzania. "There are a lot of import activities during this time of the year. Many people were holding their demand hoping that the shilling would strengthen, but they have now been forced to come into the market and cut their losses." Theopistar Mnale, a trader at Tanzania Investment Bank, said: "We are now trading at a spread of 10 shillings, which is a very big spread and shows just how unstable the market really is right now. Many banks are trying to protect their positions."

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