Business news

MINSK, 29 June (BelTA) – As of 1 June 2018, Belarus’ external debt totaled $16.4 billion, down by $332 million or 2% from the beginning of the year (taking into account differences in currency exchange rates), BelTA learned from the Belarusian Finance Ministry.

In January-May 2018, external state borrowings totaled $1.064 billion, including $600 million in eurobonds, $377 million borrowed from the Russian government and banks, $52.7 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), $33.1 million from Chinese banks, and $2.1 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).

Since the beginning of the year, Belarus spent $1.309 billion to repay the external debt, including $800 million in eurobonds, $213.4 million paid to Chinese banks, $174.6 million to the Russian government, $88.3 million to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development, $32.5 million to the IBRD, $0.7 million to the United States, and $0.4 million to the EBRD and the NIB.

As of 1 June 2018, Belarus’ government debt totaled Br42.5 billion, up by Br292.5 million or 0.7% from 1 January 2018.

The internal government debt amounted to Br9.3 billion as of 1 June. Taking into account differences in currency exchange rates, the internal government debt grew by Br130.9 million or 1.4% from the beginning of the year.

In January-May 2018, the Belarusian government sold $205 million worth of domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies to corporations and individuals and redeemed domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies and Belarusian rubles from corporation ($171.5 million) and individuals (Br23.1 million).