BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

12/05/2008

Belarusian inflation at 1.2% in April, 5.3% in Jan-Apr

MINSK. May 12. (Interfax) - Belarusian consumer prices increased 1.2% in April 2008 after growth of 0.8% in March, the Statistics and Analysis Ministry said in a statement.

Belarusian inflation in January-April 2008 was at 5.3%.

Belarus' average monthly inflation in January-April 2008 increased to 1.3% against 0.7% in the same period of 2007. April-to-April inflation came to 14.8%.

The country's trade deficit decreased 60% year-on-year to $220.5 million in the first quarter following an increase in exports of 65% and imports of 56%. Total foreign trade in January-March 2008 went up 60.3% year-on-year against a forecast yearly increase of 14.5%-15.5%.

In accordance with the country's socioeconomic development forecast for 2008, the government and National Bank intend keep inflation at 6%- 8%, or 0.5%-06% on average per month. In 2007, Belarusian inflation rose to 12.1%, against a 6%-8% forecast, from 6.6% in 2006.

Belarus' trade deficit is forecast to not exceed $1.42 billion this year. The country's trade deficit came to $2.685 million in 2007, up 60% from 2006.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/3/392440/news.aspx

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