MINSK, 30 April March (BelTA) – As of 1 April 2019 Belarus' external state debt totaled $16.6 billion, down by $0.3 billion or 1.7% from the beginning of 2019 (taking into account differences in currency exchange rates), BelTA learned from the Belarusian Finance Ministry.
In January-March 2019 the Belarusian government borrowed $187.2 million abroad, including $157.9 million from the Russian government and banks, $18.6 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), $6.1 million from the Export-Import Bank of China, and $4.6 million the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
In January-March 2019 Belarus spent $539.1 million to repay the external state debt, including $219.4 million paid to the Russian government, $212.8 million to the Export-Import Bank of China, $88.3 million to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development and $17.1 million to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, $0.8 million to the EBRD and NIB, and $0.7 million to the U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation.
As of 1 April 2019, Belarus' state debt totaled Br44.1 billion, Br1.3 billion or 2.8% down from the beginning of the year.
The internal state debt amounted to Br8.7 billion as of 1 April. Taking into account differences in currency exchange rates, the internal state debt decreased by Br0.1 billion or 1.6% from the beginning of the year.
In January-March 2019 the Belarusian government sold $146.1 million worth of domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies to individuals and corporations and redeemed $87.4 million and Br100 million worth of government bonds nominated in foreign and national currencies from corporations and individuals.
