MINSK, 31 July (BelTA) – As of 1 July 2019 Belarus' external state debt totaled $16.7 billion, down by $0.2 billion or 1.2% from the beginning of 2019 (taking into account differences in currency exchange rates), BelTA learned from the Belarusian Finance Ministry.
In January-June 2019 the Belarusian government borrowed $486.4 million abroad, including $398 million from the Russian government and banks, $50.3 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), $22.3 million from the Export-Import Bank of China, and $15.8 million the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).
In January-June 2019 Belarus spent $773.7 million to repay the external state debt, including $311.9 million paid to the Russian government, $247.2 million to the Export-Import Bank of China, $176.5 million to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development and $36.6 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 July 2019, Belarus' state debt totaled Br43.1 billion, down Br2.3 billion or 5% from the beginning of the year.
The internal state debt amounted to Br9 billion as of 1 July. Taking into account differences in currency exchange rates, the internal state debt rose by Br0.1 billion or 1.2% from the beginning of the year.
In January-June 2019 the Belarusian government sold $527.9 million worth of domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies to individuals and corporations and redeemed $160.3 million and Br227.2 million worth of government bonds nominated in foreign and national currencies from corporations and individuals.
