Lukashenka Makes Debts Again

The external state debt of Belarus has grown by 14,2% since the beginning of the year, to $ 15,6 billion.

As of July 1, 2017, the external state debt of Belarus totaled $ 15,6 billion, having increased by $ 1,9 billion (including exchange rate differences) since the beginning of the year, or by 14,2%, interfax.by reports with the reference to the Belarusian Ministry of Finance.

According to the Ministry of Finance, in January-June 2017 Belarus attracted external state loans worth $ 2 billion 404 million. In particular, $ 1,4 billion was attracted through the placement of Eurobonds; $ 600 million came from the Eurasian Stabilization and Development Fund (ESDF); $ 247,2 million were loans from the government and banks of the Russian Federation; $ 83,5 million came from loans from Chinese banks; $ 70,4 million were loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and $ 2,9 million came from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Repayment of the external public debt since the beginning of the year amounted to $ 508 million, including $ 117,2 million to the banks of the PRC; $ 182,1 million to the government of the Russian Federation; $ 176,6 million to the ESDF; $ 31,2 million to the IBRD; $ 0,7 million to the US , and $ 0,2 million – to the EBRD.

The internal state debt as of July 1, 2017 amounted to Bn 9,6 billion, having decreased since the beginning of the year by Br 0,7 billion (including exchange rate differences), or by 6,6%.

In January-June, domestic currency government bonds for legal entities and individuals were placed for $ 406,7 million; the ruble and government bonds for legal entities and individuals - for $ 849,1 million, and Br 60,5 million were repaid.

In total, the state debt of Belarus as of July 1, 2017 amounted to Br 39,7 billion and increased since the beginning of the year by Br 2,7 billion, or by 7,4%.

As reported, on January 1, 2017, the external debt of Belarus was $ 13,6 billion and increased by 9,6% in 2016, the internal state debt reached Br 10,2 billion, with an increase of 5% over the year.