BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/04/2008

Belarusian Premier Reports Robust Economic Growth

Prime Minister Syarhey Sidorski reported to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka on April 10 that Belarus's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 10.5 percent in January-March 2008 compared to the same period last year, Belarusian media reported. The government expects that inflation in 2008 will not exceed 8 percent. Independent economic expert Leanid Zlotnikau told RFE/RL's Belarus Service on April 11 that the country's good economic performance should primarily be attributed to "external factors," such as Russian oil supplies for processing and resale as well as $5 billion worth of Russia's "assistance in various forms." According to Zlotnikau, the Belarusian government underreports the inflation rate, diminishing it by a factor of 1.5-2. Zlotnikau also said that the amount of insolvent enterprises in Belarus has now increased to 60 percent, up from some 50 percent a year ago. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/04/3-cee/cee-110408.asp

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