http://belarusinfocus.info/images/logo.gif http://belarusinfocus.info/ http://belarusinfocus.info/ Solidarity with Belarus Information Office enhttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5900cel_2013_-_challenging_eastern_limits_conferencepublics This conference is organised by students of the Centre for European Studies (CES) at Jagiellonian University in Kraków under the honorary patronage of Prof. dr hab. Zdzisław Mach and in cooperation with the New Eastern Europe Journal abased inThu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5900cel_2013_-_challenging_eastern_limits_conferencehttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5899publicsAccording to the National Statistics Committee, the highest increases in prices in January-April 2013 were prices on local cigarette brands without filter. In the framework of harmonization of excise policy within the EEA from 1st January 2013, Belarus increased excise taxes on tobacco andTue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5899http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5898publicsOn May 8th, 2013 Belarus’ President signed a Decree No 215, envisaging for procedures of placing state-guaranteed orders for the housing construction for citizens, supported by the state.  Numerous cases of uncompleted construction and conflicts related to shared construction inTue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5898http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5897publicsOn May 17th, Housing Minister Andrei Shorets reported to MPs about a new decree on housing ownership reform to be signed in the near future. The news about the revision of housing ownership rules create a clear economic discomfort for residents who have not yet privatized their apartments.Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5897http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5896publicsImplementation of investment projects, targeting at Belarusian energy system modernization, during the past five years managed to reduce the Belarus’ power grids depreciation from 61% to 48%. Belarus’ energy system state is far from satisfactory and as discussed at a meeting atTue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5896http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5895publicsOn May 15th Belstat published data on Belarus’ socio-economic development in January-April 2013. Despite the positive nominal GDP growth rate, in April 2013 GDP level was below April 2012. All methodological and administrative practices of GDP growth inflation have been exhausted.Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5895http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5894publicsOn May 16th, a seminar took place in Minsk with the participation of the Belarus’ Education Ministry, the EU delegation and European Commission and Council of Europe representatives.  Belarusian authorities consider opportunities for more active participation in the EasternTue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5894http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5893publicsOn May 13th -14th, Belarus’ Deputy Foreign Minister Valentin Rybakov took part in a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. Earlier it had been reported that this meeting would be attended by Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey. Belarus’ reduced representation atTue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5893http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5892publicsOn May 8th, Statistics Committee published April 2013 inflation data. According to the published data, the inflation rate in April 2013 was 0.5%. The reduced inflation in Belarus to 0.5% in April 2013 is the result of the administrative restriction on price growth for services and the mostTue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5892http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5891publicsOn May 15th 2013, the discount rate was reduced by 2 percentage points to 25% per annum. Using administrative means, the government managed to curb inflation at 0.5% in April 2013. The increased pace of discount rate reduction is needed to stimulate borrowing by enterprises, which faceTue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5891http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5890publicsOn May 7th, Minsk City Executive Committee refused to enter into a contract for the construction of a recreational centre in the centre of Minsk. Protests against the compact construction become an important factor in the civil society formation and consolidation in the capital. These developmentsTue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5890http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5889publicsThe increase in stocks in the whole country is primarily a result of key enterprises overstocking warehouses. If competitiveness of the Belarusian industry giants continues deteriorating, economic recession is inevitable. In the regions the leaders in overstocking of warehouses are key businesses,Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5889http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5888publicsBelarusian exports to Russia in January-February 2013 increased by 7.6% over the same period of 2012. Despite the increase in total exports to Russia within the Customs Union framework, some exports of some goods suffered considerable losses, mainly due to the Russian economy’s slowdownTue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5888http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5887publicsOn May 6th Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev visited Minsk and met with President Lukashenko and discussed the security and military cooperation issues. Patrushev’s visit indicates that the Belarusian authorities carry on negotiations with Russia on defense cooperationTue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5887http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5884publicsOn May 6th, the Sports and Disciplinary Commission of the 2nd All-Russian Amateur Ice Hockey Festival, held in Sochi, started checks on Belarusian President’s team regarding its compliance with the Festival’s regulations. On May 7th, President’s team was forfeited, andTue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5884http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5883publicsOn April 30th, the National Bank announced the immediate availability of the next tranche of the EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund at Belarus’ Finance Ministry accounts. Belarus’ failure to comply with a number of the loan terms did not hamper the funds’ transfer. The trancheTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5883http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5882publicsRussian Association Rosagromash sent an open letter to Vladimir Putin to stop subsidies and preferential leasing for foreign equipment, including Belarusian machinery. With Russia’s WTO accession in August 2012 competition in the Russian market significantly increased. Given the slowdownTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5882http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5881publicsOn May 1st, the International Labour Day, rallies and demonstrations were held in several Belarusian cities. Traditional May Day demonstrations allowed the authorities to assess the social protests meter and to test mobilization capabilities of the state and the opposition. May Day hasTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5881http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5880publicsMost of the transit motorways undergo timely maintenance, but most of the local roads have overdue maintenance works. The length of roads that are in the pre-emergency state is increasing. Roads’ state is an important indicator of the economic situation in the regions. Judging by thisTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5880http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5879publicsIn Q1 2013, Belarus had a net surplus over RUR 1.1 billion under the agreement on the distribution of import duties in the Customs Union. Belarus skillfully benefits from the participation in the Customs Union, and uses Russia’s accession to the WTO as yet another pressure factor toTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5879http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5878publicsOn May 3rd, President Lukashenko ordered to arrest a number of employees of a private clinic Ecomedservice who were responsible for the death of a patient. The president also instructed the Ministry of Health to take over control and management of the clinic. Belarusian President still regardsTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5878http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5877publicsOn April 29th, BelaPAN News Agency published an interview with Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov. Russia is highly interested in Ukraine’s integration with the Eurasian Economic Union. President Lukashenko hopes to play a mediating role in this process and to improve hisTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5877http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5875stefan_eriksson_wins_mark_palmer_prize_at_community_of_democracies_201publicsStefan Eriksson was awarded the Mark Palmer prize, a prize for diplomats advancing democracy during the VII Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies on April 26-27, 2013, hosted in Mongolia’s capital of Ulaanbataar.  Stefan Eriksson served as Swedish ambassador toTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5875stefan_eriksson_wins_mark_palmer_prize_at_community_of_democracies_201http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5874community_of_democracies_civil_society_forum_2013publicsMongolia’s capital of Ulaanbataar hosted the VII Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies on April 26-27, 2013. Bringing together policymakers and NGO representatives from all over the world, it aims to help promote democratic rules and strengthenTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5874community_of_democracies_civil_society_forum_2013http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5873publicsOn April 25th, First Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Amarin announced the Ministry’s plans to involve USD 300-400 million from the domestic foreign exchange market in 2013. Belarus has successfully coped with international debt payments. The international trade situation raises concernsTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5873http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5872publicsOn April 25th MAZ and BelAZ representatives admitted there were problems with sales in foreign markets. Belarusian goods exports are narrowly segmented by product group type. If important local market faces a problem then the overall economic performance in the country is deteriorating. The worldTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5872http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5871publicsOn April 26th, the authorities allowed the Chernobyl Path, the annual demonstration, to be held in Minsk. The small number of the demonstration participants demonstrates that the opposition’s political message as well as the environmentalists’ message advocating against the NPPTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5871http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5870publicsOn April 23rd, the Council of Ministers Presidium summed up the socio-economic development performance in Q1 2013. The original GDP growth plan has been overestimated and is not implemented. The economic situation, despite the GDP growth by 3.5%, is qualitatively worse. Administrative measuresTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5870http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5869publicsOn April 26th, while talking to reporters, President Lukashenko stated that so far the issue of opening a Russian airbase in Belarus was not discussed, but only the supply of Russian fighter jets and S-300 missiles. In the coming two years, Lukashenko’s the only political goal is toTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5869http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5868publicsOn April 23rd, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in Minsk that by 2015 Russian airbase will be deployed to Belarus. Nationalists, conservatives and a number of Belarus’ social movements have strongly opposed the idea, referring to the Belarus’ sovereignty. Liberal andTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5868http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5865publicsState apparatus staff cuts did not resonate in the society. Discussions about future layoffs take place on the sidelines and do not go beyond the nomenclature environment. Firstly, this demonstrates that society exists in parallel to the government and that there is a gap between the stateTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5865http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5864possibilities_of_regulated_gdp_growth_are_limitedpublicsOn April 12th Belstat published Q1 2013 Belarus’ GDP growth data. By the end of Q1 2013 GDP growth started to slow down. GDP growth was largely due to the use of Belarus’ traditional ways to adjust the GDP upwards and does not reflect the real economic situation. Means used,Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5864possibilities_of_regulated_gdp_growth_are_limitedhttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5863high_interest_rates_halted_consumer_loanspublicsOn April 7th, the National Bank published data on individuals’ debt on consumer loans. In 2012, amid rising real incomes, consumer lending in Belarus increased significantly. Interest rate under some credit agreements was over 100%, but a number of tricks were used to mask it. TheTue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5863high_interest_rates_halted_consumer_loanshttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5862a_new_development_stage_in_the_left_forces_coalitionpublicsOn April 17th in Minsk, “Green” Party, “Fair World” Belarusian Left Party and the organizing committee of the Belarusian Labour Party leaders held a joint press conference. So far, the political coalition between the leftist parties is limited to theTue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5862a_new_development_stage_in_the_left_forces_coalitionhttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5861lukashenko_addressed_his_major_foreign_counterpartspublicsOn April 19th, President Lukashenko made his Annual address to the Parliament and the people of Belarus. President’s two major messages were requests to preserve the state property and to normalize the relations with the European Union. Carrying out these requests would guaranteeTue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5861lukashenko_addressed_his_major_foreign_counterpartshttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5860high-profile_resignations_aimed_at_improving_lukashenkos_popularity_apublicsOn April 18th, President Lukashenko dismissed Energy Minister Alexander Ozerets “for the failures in management”. Earlier his Deputy Tovpenets was also dismissed. With high-profile resignations of influential officials President Lukashenko seeks to restore his image as theTue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5860high-profile_resignations_aimed_at_improving_lukashenkos_popularity_ahttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5859confectionery_industry_problems_are_tackled_by_old_means__with_importpublicsAs of April 3rd, Ukrainian confectionery manufacturers cannot access the Belarusian market. Income growth has resulted in Belarusian consumers’ reorientation towards foreign confectionery producers. The government attempts to solve the problem of reduced production volumes and piling upTue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5859confectionery_industry_problems_are_tackled_by_old_means__with_importhttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5858regions_flooding_monitoring_rescuers_work_publicsThe Emergency Ministry is prepared for spring floods. In some regions water levels are higher than the long-time average, but water logs are local and under control. Many regions have successfully overcome the flooding peak. The flood situation is quiet in the Grodno and Minsk regions.Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5858regions_flooding_monitoring_rescuers_work_http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5857-SBIO_at_the_Solidarity_with_Belarus_2013_concertpublicsSolidarity with Belarus Information Office (SBIO) took part in this year’s ‘Solidarity with Belarus’ concert, held in Warsaw’s city centre on the evening of April 21st 2013. Hosting a stand near the main stage, we met a diverse range of people –Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5857-SBIO_at_the_Solidarity_with_Belarus_2013_concerthttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5856belarusian_petrol_stirred_up_russian_refinerspublicsOn April 8th, it was reported that a number of Russian oil companies addressed the Russian Energy Ministry asking to limit the Belarusian petrol supply to the Russian market. Belarus has committed to supply 3.3 million tons of petroleum products to the Russian market during 2013. Fulfilling itsTue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5856belarusian_petrol_stirred_up_russian_refinershttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5855foreign_exchange_market_reflects_economic_imbalancespublicsOn April 5th, the National Bank has published March 2013 foreign exchange market data. Despite the negative trends in the international trade in goods, the foreign exchange market experiences growing foreign currency net supply from individuals and businesses. The situation is caused by theTue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5855foreign_exchange_market_reflects_economic_imbalanceshttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5854administrative_reform_will_increase_officials_dependence_publicsOn April 12th, the President signed a decree No 168 „Measures to optimize government system and other public organizations, as well as staffing”. Administrative reform is carried out in compliance with the previously announced radical plan to reduce public servants byTue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5854administrative_reform_will_increase_officials_dependence_http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5853the_government_is_fighting_inflation_by_increasing_pricespublicsThe National Statistics Committee reported 5.4% inflation in Q1 2013. Devaluation is no longer behind the price increases. In Q1 2013 the main reason for the price growth was goods and services’ price regulation by the Economy Ministry. Quantitative plans for industries, widely practicedTue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5853the_government_is_fighting_inflation_by_increasing_priceshttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5852opposition_is_split_over_european_issuepublicsLast week, opposition and civil society representatives had hot debates about the Belarusian-European relations’ principles and about the role they could play. The debates started on April 8th when “Wider Europe for Belarus”, the Belarusian Popular Front,Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5852opposition_is_split_over_european_issuehttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5851minsk_ponders_about_death_penalty_moratorium_benefitspublicsOn April 11th, Alexander Hessel, Council of Europe Director for political issues visited Minsk. Meetings in Minsk with CoE representative, Alexander Hessel, imply that Belarus is considering options to open an additional communication channel with the EU. In addition, Belarus may try to "swap" aTue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5851minsk_ponders_about_death_penalty_moratorium_benefitshttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5850regions_regional_media_reviewpublicsIn March-April, information policy and agenda in the regions was formed by the state-owned media. Alternative media did not take the lead. Main issues concerned personnel shifts in nomenclature and President’s and members of the government visits to the regions. Gomel and Mogilev regionsTue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5850regions_regional_media_reviewhttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5845state_personnel_policy_staff_and_loyalty_shortagespublicsAnalysis of the President Lukashenko’s government staffing policy reform in 2013 shows its two features. Firstly, officials close to President Lukashenko have increased their influence and so-called Prime Minister Myasnikovich group weakened. Secondly, ruling elite’s authorityTue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5845state_personnel_policy_staff_and_loyalty_shortageshttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5844national_bank_seeks_for_optimal_scheme_to_reduce_the_discount_ratepublicsNational Bank Chairman Nadezhda Ermakova stated the discount rate could be further reduced in April. In March 2013 the inflation dropped to 1.1% due to government’s pricing policy, enabling the National Bank reducing the discount rate. Industry insists on discount rate’s sharpTue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5844national_bank_seeks_for_optimal_scheme_to_reduce_the_discount_ratehttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5843social_tensions_in_the_workforce_have_not_decreasedpublicsOn April 1st, workers at Vitebsk House-Building construction company refused to go to work due to wage delays. Tensions in the workforce remain high and threaten with social unrest if wages are not paid in time. Workers confine to social protests and enterprises’ management endeavors toTue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5843social_tensions_in_the_workforce_have_not_decreasedhttp://belarusinfocus.info/p/5842investment_imports_eat_up_potash_exports_growthpublicsOn April 1st, Statistics Ministry published foreign trade data in January-February 2013. Industrial modernization and consumer imports growth neutralized the successes of potash exports and also became a major reason behind the international trade deterioration. In view of the planned concessionalTue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300http://belarusinfocus.info/p/5842investment_imports_eat_up_potash_exports_growth