BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

20/12/2007

Russia to consider another loan of $2 Bln for Belarus in 2008 - Kudrin

MOSCOW. Dec 20 (Interfax) - Russia will consider the prospect of granting another loan of $2 billion for Belarus, Vice Premier and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told reporters on Thursday.

Earlier, Belarus obtained a $1.5-billion credit from Russia under an agreement signed on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Prime Ministers were asked to consider an opportunity to grant Belarus another credit of $2 billion, Kudrin said.

This new credit may come in the form of a loan on the Russian market, the minister said.

It remains to be seen whether it will be a state or some other credit, Kudrin said, adding that the credit's parameters are yet to be determined.

The money is intended to support Belarus' trade and payment balance.

In 2008, Belarus intends to place about 10 billion Russian rubles worth of government bonds in the Russian market.

"The Russian side has received a letter of inquiry from Belarus regarding the loan's registration," Kudring said.

Belarusian Finance Minister Nikolai Korbut, for his part, noted that the bond issue will be organized by the Russian Vneshtorgbank bank (VTB).

The bonds are likely to be issued in installments, he said.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/3/348982/news.aspx