MINSK, 29 December (BelTA) – As of 1 December 2018, Belarus' external debt totaled $16.8 billion, up by $70.3 million or 0.4% from the beginning of the year (taking into account differences in currency exchange rates), BelTA learned from the country's Finance Ministry.
In January-November 2018, external state borrowings totaled $2,112.4 million, including $797.5 million borrowed from the Russian government and banks, $600 million in eurobonds, $361.3 million from Chinese banks, $200 million from the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD), $138.5 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and $15.1 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).
Since the beginning of the year, Belarus spent $1,883.1 million to repay the external debt, including $800 million in eurobonds, $374.9 million paid to Chinese banks, $374.3 million to the Russian government, $264.8 million to the EFSD, $65.4 million to the IBRD, $2.7 million to the U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation, and $1 million to the EBRD and the NIB.
As of 1 December 2018, Belarus' government debt totaled Br45.6 billion, up by Br3.4 billion or 8.1% from 1 January 2018.
The internal government debt amounted to Br9.7 billion as of 1 December. Taking into account differences in currency exchange rates, the internal government debt rose by Br489.5 million or 5.3% from the beginning of the year.
In January-November 2018, the Belarusian government placed $338.3 million worth of domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies to corporations and individuals and redeemed domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies and Belarusian rubles for corporations ($309.8 million) and individuals (Br26.1 million).
