27 June 2008
Government projecting GDP to grow by 10 to 12 percent in 2009

Belarus' GDP is projected to grow by between 10 and 12 percent in 2009, the first deputy prime minister, Uladzimir Syamashka, said at a joint meeting of the lower and upper chambers of the National Assembly on Friday.

He said that the target was set in the government's economic forecast for the next year.

Mr. Syamashka said that the projected GDP growth would be achieved thanks to an increase in industrial output, the growth of construction and trade.

Industrial growth is projected at between 10.5 and 12.5 percent. Fixed capital expenditures are to go up by 23 to 25 percent compared with 2008, while the population's real income is to increase by 14 to 15 percent.

The vice premier said that the tax burden would decrease by 1.2 percentage points of GDP, which would make additional 1,400 billion rubels available for the "development of economy." //BelaPAN