Opinions & Interviews

Belarus, WB might finalize reforms roadmap in September

MINSK, 19 July (BelTA) – The government of Belarus suggests completing the harmonization of the roadmap of reforms with the World Bank in September 2019, First Deputy Premier of Belarus Aleksandr Turchin said as he met with the World Bank delegation led by World Bank Country Director for Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine Satu Kahkonen, BelTA has learned.

“In my view, there are not so many disagreements left in our roadmap that was devised to improve the efficiency of the national economy. I suggest embarking on the work on every page of the roadmap. If common wording and decisions are clear, we can finalize them. We suggest completing this work in September,” Aleksandr Turchin said.

On 18 July, the first vice-premier had another discussion of all the aspects of the roadmap. “We believe that we have found common ground virtually on all matters,” he said.

“If we fail to agree on some issues (though I believe we will be able to agree on everything), these matters should be forwarded to the highest level of decision-making,” Aleksandr Turchin said.

Satu Kahkonen said that she appreciated the opportunity to have this meeting and discuss the government’s efforts to prepare the document. In her view, not so many disagreements are left, however, these matters are important and should be tackled.

At the end of the meeting, the parties came to the conclusion that the roadmap should be reconciled in September, while the further work on the document will go on till the end of the year.

A reminder, the Belarusian government and the World Bank embarked on the work to develop the roadmap of reforms in January 2019. Earlier, in an interview with BelTA World Bank Country Manager for Belarus Alex Kremer explained that while drafting the document the bank will support five major areas: public spending, energy sector, state-run enterprises, financial sector, social security.