Belarusian president approves 2025 targets aiming for 4.1% GDP growth, 5% inflation

MINSK. Oct 2 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed decrees on October 1 to approve forecasts for the country's economic development and monetary policy targets for 2025, the president's press service reported.

GDP is forecast to grow by 4.1% in 2025 on the back of three linked programs, for production, exports and investment.

Targets have been set for their execution, with exports of goods and services expected to grow by 5.4% and investment in the economy to increase by 7.8%. Real disposable household incomes are forecast to grow by 4%.

The country plans to continue its policy to curb inflation. "For this purpose, the target of limiting inflation to a level that does not exceed 5% is being set for the National Bank and government," the press service said.

The decree on monetary policy objectives also approved the following targets: international reserve assets of at least $7.1 billion; nonperforming bank assets as a share of assets subject to credit risk at no more than 10%; at least a 99.8% rate of accessibility to automated systems for participants of the payment market to ensure execution of settlement transactions; and at least 11% growth of bank lending to the economy.