Business news

Belarus' external state debt down 2.2% to $16.5bn

MINSK, 31 October (BelTA) – As of 1 October 2019 Belarus' external state debt totaled $16.5 billion, down by $0.4 billion or 2.2% from the beginning of 2019 (taking into account differences in currency exchange rates), BelTA learned from the Belarusian Finance Ministry.

In January-September 2019 the Belarusian government borrowed $857.6 million abroad, including $559.7 million from the Russian government and banks, $150.5 million were bonds placed on external financial markets, $73.8 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), $46.5 million from the Export-Import Bank of China, and $27.1 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).

In January-September 2019 Belarus spent $1,273.4 million to repay the external state debt, including $533.3 million paid to the Russian government, $414.4 million to Chinese banks, $264.8 million to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development, $58.5 million to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, $1.7 million to the EBRD and NIB, and $0.7 million to the U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation.

As of 1 October 2019, Belarus' state debt totaled Br43 billion, down Br2.4 billion or 5.2% from the beginning of the year.

The internal state debt amounted to Br8.7 billion as of 1 October. Taking into account differences in currency exchange rates, the internal state debt shrank by Br0.2 billion or 2% from the beginning of the year.

In January-September 2019 the Belarusian government sold $701.2 million worth of domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies to individuals and corporations and redeemed $469.4 million and Br227.2 million worth of government bonds nominated in foreign and national currencies from corporations and individuals.

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