BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

28/03/2007

Belarus Chooses Dutch Bank To Advise On Credit Ratings

The Belarusian government has selected the Dutch-based bank ABN AMRO to advise on international credit ratings, Belapan reported on March 27, quoting the Finance Ministry. Last year, Minsk enlisted the services of ABN AMRO to estimate the financial value of Beltranshaz, Belarus's gas-pipeline operator. The Belarusian government said earlier this year that it wants to obtain a sovereign credit rating in the first half of 2007. The Finance Ministry has sent requests to the international credit ratings agencies Standard&Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch Ratings, asking them to state their prices and terms for providing such a rating for Belarus. A country's sovereign credit rating, made by experts on the basis of an analysis of its political and economic situation, reflects confidence in its ability to honor its hard-currency borrowing commitments. A sovereign credit rating is believed to make it easier for a country to deal in securities on international markets and to attract foreign loans. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/03/3-CEE/cee-280307.asp