MINSK, 28 December (BelTA) - The Belarusian Finance Ministry does not see any problems with repayment of the state debt in 2021, Finance Minister Yuri Seliverstov told the media on 28 December, BelTA has learned.
“We are set to raise some one billion [of US dollars] next year: $500 million from the Russian Federation and another $500 million on the foreign and domestic markets. We will also use the residual budget for the repayment [of the state debt],” said Yuri Seliverstov.
“This will be enough to fulfill all our obligations. We see no problem here,” said the minister.
According to him, an estimated Br6.3 billion will be allocated to repay the state debt this year, and about Br4.9 billion - in 2021.
“We have borrowed resources this year through eurobonds, from the EFSD, and on the Moscow Financial Exchange. We are currently working with our Russian colleagues,” the minister said adding that the Russian government approved the agreement to grant Belarus a $1 billion loan last week. According to him, $500 million will be received by the end of this year and another $500 million in 2021.
“Right now there is no clarity as to whether we will be able to borrow on the European market or the Moscow Financial Exchange in the standard mode. Amid the pandemic no one has such clarity. In March-April the cost of borrowing rose sharply, and not only in our country, but on the market in general,” Yuri Seliverstov said.
