Second European Games in Belarus

Belarus to complete assessment of 2nd European Games economic impact in January

MINSK, 27 August (BelTA) –  The comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of hosting the 2nd European Games will be completed in January 2020, First  Deputy Premier Aleksandr Turchin told the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.

“The final assessment will be made when the year 2019 comes to a close. Today we have information about ticket sales, hotel occupancy rates, the volume of tax-free shopping. In January we will see the full picture,” Aleksandr Turchin said.

All in all, about Br840 million was spent on the European Games in 2017-2019. “These funds were taken from various sources, including the budget, bank loans, sponsor aid. About 70% or some Br600 million is investment spending. We can ask ourselves a question: was this money spent solely on the games or would we undertake this expenditure anyway,” the first vice premier asked.

He cited the student dormitory on Dzerzhinskogo Avenue, an unfinished construction project in the student village, new buses and electric buses as a case in point.

“It turns out, Br240 million was spent directly on hosting the games. About half of the amount is sponsor aid. This money was spent, among other things, on athletes’ accommodation and food,” Aleksandr Turchin said. This generated revenues for public catering facilities and services providers.

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