Belarus will need $2-$3 bln in foreign financing in 2013 - Lukashenko
MINSK. Nov 6 (Interfax) - Belarus will need about $2-$3 billion in foreign financing next year due to its planned radical reduction state programs, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.
"I need a result so that we don't get in a fever, so that there is a normal exchange rate. We need to find another two, maximum three billion [dollars] a year, taking this year into account. We don't need more than that, and we can live normally. So you shall describe it and monitor it," Lukashenko is quoted as saying during a meeting on export prospects at the end of last week.
During the meeting, Lukashenko said that he expects to see a radical reduction in financing for state programs next year, as this is one of the key problems in terms of the foreign stability of the Belarusian economy.
"The president has agreed with the necessity of revising spending in several areas that can go without substantial financial infusions," the presidential administration said in a statement.
"It's not worth counting on supporting agriculture with loans and allocating funds from the budget next year. That area in particular. There won't be a boom like there was earlier; it's not needed. We will build farms carefully because we will need to equip the 1,200 that you are building this year. No sports, cultural or other facilities. Let's hope to God that they have been visited. Let's finish with health care - there are small amounts still there. Of course less funds will be needed, and we will spend less," Lukashenko said, referring to the prospects for state program financing next year.
