MINSK, 30 April (BelTA) – As of 1 April 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-March 2020, the Belarusian government borrowed $247.7 million abroad, including $222.7 million from the Russian government and banks, $12.8 million from the Export–Import Bank of China, $8 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and $4.2 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).
In Q1 2020, Belarus spent $504.9 million to repay the external state debt, including $221.6 million to the Russian government, $171.2 million to Chinese banks, $88.3 million to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD), $22 million to the IBRD, $1.3 million to the EBRD and NIB, and $0.5 million to the U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation.
As of 1 April 2020, Belarus' state debt totaled Br53.7 billion, up by Br8.9 billion, or 19.9%, from the beginning of the year.
The internal state debt amounted to Br10.4 billion as of 1 April. Taking into account differences in currency exchange rates, the internal state debt went up by Br1.7 billion or 19.1% from the beginning of the year.
In January-March 2020, the Belarusian government sold $160 million worth of domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies to individuals and corporations and redeemed $157.4 million and Br69.1 million worth of government bonds nominated in foreign and national currencies from corporations and individuals.
