MINSK, 29 May (BelTA) – As of 1 May 2020, Belarus' external state debt totaled $16.6 billion, down by $0.5 billion or 2.9% from the beginning of 2020 (taking into account differences in currency exchange rates), BelTA learned from the Belarusian Finance Ministry.
In January-April 2020, the Belarusian government borrowed $255.2 million abroad, including $224.6 million from the Russian government and banks, $15.6 million from the Export-Import Bank of China, $9.5 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and $5.5 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).
In January-April 2020, Belarus spent $567.3 million to repay the external state debt, including $251.6 million to the Russian government, $171.2 million to Chinese banks, $88.3 million to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD), $54.2 million to the IBRD, $1.3 million to the EBRD and NIB, and $0.7 million to the U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation.
As of 1 May 2020, Belarus' state debt totaled Br50.1 billion, up by Br5.3 billion, or 11.9%, from the beginning of the year.
The internal state debt amounted to Br9.6 billion as of 1 May. Taking into account differences in currency exchange rates, the internal state debt went up by Br0.8 billion or 9.5% from the beginning of the year.
In January-April 2020, the Belarusian government sold $189.7 million worth of domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies to individuals and corporations and redeemed $230 million and Br161.2 million worth of government bonds nominated in foreign and national currencies from corporations and individuals.
