Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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.