Inflation, key rate forecast to drop in Belarus in 2013
2013-02-07 10:32:00
The Economy Ministry and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus see the 2013 inflation and refinancing rate forecasts as feasible, representatives of the two agencies told media on 6 February.
Asked whether the country will be able to keep the inflation rate at 12% in 2013, Deputy Economy Minister Dmitry Golukhov said: “There is such a goal, and we intend to achieve it.” According to the National Statistics Committee, the inflation was running at 2.4% over the first three weeks of January.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Bank Sergei Dubkov stressed for his part that the central bank would do its level best to cut the main interest rate to 13-15%p.a. by the end of 2013.
As for the next cut in the refinancing rate, the relevant decision will be made taking into account the January inflation and other economic parameters, the NBRB representative said. This week is time for data collection. The main interest rate in Belarus was last revised downward in September 2012. Today it stands at 30%p.a.