BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

15/01/2008

Belarussian foreign debt up 43.5% in Jan-Sept 2007

MINSK. Jan 15 (Interfax) - Belarus increased total foreign debt 43.5% to $9.676 billion in January-September 2007, the National Bank of Belarus said in a statement.

Foreign debt grew 4.4% in the third quarter of 2007 compared to growth of 15.9% in the second quarter and 18.7% in the first quarter.

The foreign debt of government agencies shrank by 7.7% to $543.7 million in the period, including long-term loans of $450.9 million, down 10%.

The National Bank's foreign debt totaled $303.4 million on October 1, 2007, including long-term debt of $231 million, compared to $0.7 million on January 1, 2007. The bank's debt grew two-fold in the third quarter of 2007.

Commercial banks increased foreign debt 84.6% to $2.553 billion in January-September with short-term borrowings accounting for 64.5% of total debt compared to 55.3% at the start of the year.

The non-financial sector of the economy increased foreign debt 28.3% to $5.603 billion in the nine months. Debt to direct investors rose 68.5% to $673.6 million in the period.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/3/354628/news.aspx