Belarus may see $1.5 bln foreign trade deficit in 2012 - PM
MINSK. Dec 6 (Interfax) - The Belarusian government predicts a possible $1.5 billion foreign trade surplus in 2012, three times more than its earlier forecast, the presidential press service told Interfax.
Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich announced the new forecast during a report to President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday.
"The government believes that instead of the earlier planned foreign trade surplus of $500 million, Belarus can improve on this result. With an increase in exports, the government believes, the foreign trade surplus next year could reach $1.5 billion, which will ensure stabilization on the currency and consumer markets and to a certain extent contain inflationary processes," the press service said.
Myasnikovich told the president that on Tuesday the Council of Ministers looked at final socioeconomic development, budget and monetary-financing policy drafts for 2012, which had been adjusted in accordance with instructions given by the president on November 22.
The GDP growth forecast has been set at 5.2%-5.5%, he said.