Download trends in economic and social development of the Republic of

Main trends in economic and social development of the Republic of
Belarus in January-February, 2013
In January-February, 2013 Belarusian economy continued its growth.
Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.1 percent compared to JanuaryFebruary, 2012.
The highest growth rates were registered in the output of electric
equipment (112.9 percent), transport facilities (110.3 percent), rubber and
plastics products (110.1 percent), pharmaceutical products (109.9 percent), food
products (108.9 percent), pulp and paper products (106.3 percent), metallurgy
(105 percent).
The share of innovative products in the total volume of production was
19.6 percent.
The agricultural output growth was 3,1 percent, fixed capital
investments grew by 16.9%.
Financial indicators demonstrate growth of revenues from sales of
products and services by 14 percent, profitability of sales in industry at
7.7 percent and agriculture at 10.9 percent.
Situation in the social sphere remains stable; the unemployment rate at
the end of February 2013 amounted to 0.6 percent of the economically active
population.
A 21.8 percent growth of real incomes of population contributed to the
growth of retail trade sales through all distribution channels (at 19.7 percent).
As a result of efforts taken, the consumer price index during January-February
2013 compared to December, 2012 were 104.3 percent.
Despite a decrease of the exports of goods and services (88.8 percent)
the balance in goods and services (by balance of payments methodology) was
positive with surplus of $ 191.5 million. The trade balance as a percentage of
GDP was at 2 percent as compared to the forecast of 0.7 percent.
Foreign Direct Investments have been attracted in the clear amount of
$ 0.3 billion.
As of the end of February, 2013 foreign exchange reserves and gold (by
the IMF methodology) have been kept at the equivalent of $ 8 billion (same
amount as at the end of December 2012).
The consolidated budget during January-February 2013 was executed
with the surplus of BYR 335.2 billion or 0.4 percent of GDP.
Owing to balanced macroeconomic, monetary and fiscal policies, the
exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble has been kept relatively stable.
As on April 19, 2013 compared to December, 2012 the exchange rate of
Belarusian ruble has consolidated towards Russian ruble at 2.66 percent, to
Euro at 0.44 percent.
2
Stability in the monetary sphere, in its turn, allowed to reduce the
refinance rate from 30 percent in December 2012 down to 27 percent (active
from April 17, 2013).
Thus the economic growth in January-February 2013 has been achieved
on the background of improvement of macroeconomic parameters, external and
internal balances and achievement of positive balance of foreign trade.