11.07.2012
Belarus suggests new cooperation strategy to WB
MINSK, 11 July (BelTA) – Belarus suggests discussing a new cooperation strategy to the World Bank (WB), Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich said as he met with World Bank Country Director for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine Qimiao Fan on 11 July, BelTA learnt.
The Prime Minister of Belarus suggested discussing the matters of common interest. “I am interested in the new Belarus-WB strategy as the previous one expired in 2011. I think we could consider mechanisms, approaches and main points of our new strategy taking into account your report (country economy memorandum - note by BelTA),” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.
He recalled his recent meeting with the IMF mission. “The head of the mission does nto rule out developing an IMF program with Belarus. So we should work synchronously with the World Bank too,” the Prime Minister said.
Mikhail Myasnikovich underscored that all reforms recommended by the World Bank, including structural ones, are carried out in Belarus taking into account the specifics social-economic market economy of the country. “For me as the Prime Minister economic growth is a top priority. In H1 2012 the GDP increased by 2.9% as against the same period of 2011 when we have an almost 11%,” he added.
The Prime Minister also spoke on the issues brought up during the discussion of the WB country economy memorandum on 10 July. According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, the doubts expressed by some experts regarding Belarus’ economic development are not entirely unbiased. The Prime Minister was surprised by some allegations about the unemployment rate in Belarus. “We have a staff shortage in almost all occupations, and work is underway to create new jobs with high output and added value,” he stressed. Belarus’ industry is showing a good growth: in H1 2012 the growth stood at 8.5%. Growth in agriculture reached 5.1%, and export surged by 34.3%. Quality of the economy has also improved. Innovative products account for 17.4% of total output, and these are good figures. “Real income went up by 3.3%, the tax burden has reduced. Taxes are down 2% as against 2011,” he added. Mikhail Myasnikovich thinks that these figures should be taken into account when a new Belarus-WB strategy is drawn up.
Belarus joined the World Bank 20 years ago. Since then the Bank has implemented 13 projects worth $900 million. Work is still underway on some of them. These are projects in energy, forestry and road infrastructure. Belarus greatly values these projects, including those contributing to regional growth, for example in public utilities. The Prime Minister also praised the role of the International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank Group) in implementation of structural reforms in Belarus.
“The question arises as to whether we can do more. Of course we can. I suppose that your visit will help step up our cooperation. We are ready for a constructive dialogue,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.
For his part, Qimiao Fan noted that for the 20 years of cooperation the WB has maintained a constructive dialogue with Belarus despite some ups and downs. “I am glad that our support has helped Belarus improve living standards of people,” he said. Qimiao Fan emphasized that the goal of his visit is to learn more about Belarus and its economy, get familiar with plans for structural reforms and outline possible help and assistance that the WB can provide.
The Prime Minister of Belarus suggested discussing the matters of common interest. “I am interested in the new Belarus-WB strategy as the previous one expired in 2011. I think we could consider mechanisms, approaches and main points of our new strategy taking into account your report (country economy memorandum - note by BelTA),” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.
He recalled his recent meeting with the IMF mission. “The head of the mission does nto rule out developing an IMF program with Belarus. So we should work synchronously with the World Bank too,” the Prime Minister said.
Mikhail Myasnikovich underscored that all reforms recommended by the World Bank, including structural ones, are carried out in Belarus taking into account the specifics social-economic market economy of the country. “For me as the Prime Minister economic growth is a top priority. In H1 2012 the GDP increased by 2.9% as against the same period of 2011 when we have an almost 11%,” he added.
The Prime Minister also spoke on the issues brought up during the discussion of the WB country economy memorandum on 10 July. According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, the doubts expressed by some experts regarding Belarus’ economic development are not entirely unbiased. The Prime Minister was surprised by some allegations about the unemployment rate in Belarus. “We have a staff shortage in almost all occupations, and work is underway to create new jobs with high output and added value,” he stressed. Belarus’ industry is showing a good growth: in H1 2012 the growth stood at 8.5%. Growth in agriculture reached 5.1%, and export surged by 34.3%. Quality of the economy has also improved. Innovative products account for 17.4% of total output, and these are good figures. “Real income went up by 3.3%, the tax burden has reduced. Taxes are down 2% as against 2011,” he added. Mikhail Myasnikovich thinks that these figures should be taken into account when a new Belarus-WB strategy is drawn up.
Belarus joined the World Bank 20 years ago. Since then the Bank has implemented 13 projects worth $900 million. Work is still underway on some of them. These are projects in energy, forestry and road infrastructure. Belarus greatly values these projects, including those contributing to regional growth, for example in public utilities. The Prime Minister also praised the role of the International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank Group) in implementation of structural reforms in Belarus.
“The question arises as to whether we can do more. Of course we can. I suppose that your visit will help step up our cooperation. We are ready for a constructive dialogue,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.
For his part, Qimiao Fan noted that for the 20 years of cooperation the WB has maintained a constructive dialogue with Belarus despite some ups and downs. “I am glad that our support has helped Belarus improve living standards of people,” he said. Qimiao Fan emphasized that the goal of his visit is to learn more about Belarus and its economy, get familiar with plans for structural reforms and outline possible help and assistance that the WB can provide.