Chinese loans unlikely to become popular in Belarus
The situation has not changed
Belarusbank will use a loan from China’s State Development Bank to support projects in Belarus. The loan has a five-year grace period for deferred payment. However, due to high interest rate (6% + 6 months Libor rate) only few projects would be implemented. Implementation of the projects will be accompanied by growth in imports from China, due to the 50% Chinese component requirement. In addition, Belarus would try to attract other investors to the ‘Great Stone’ technological part in order to demonstrate favourable investment climate in the country. Meanwhile, Belarusian private sector is likely to apply for untied loans at a higher interest rate, which would not require compulsory imports of Chinese goods and services.
You have been successfully subscribed
Subscribe to our newsletter
Once a week, in coordination with a group of prominent Belarusian analysts, we provide analytical commentaries on the most topical and relevant issues, including the behind-the-scenes processes occurring in Belarus. These commentaries are available in Belarusian, Russian, and English.
EN
BE/RU
Situation in Belarus
April 29 – May 5
Constitutional referendum: main consequences
April 12, 2022
Speakers: Anatoliy Lebedko, Andrei Kazakevich
Video
How to count the political prisoners: are the new criteria needed?
March 28, 2022
Speakers: Aleh Hulak, Aleh Aheyeu, Viachaslau Kasinierau
Video
Paternalism In Decline, Belarusian Euroscepticism, And The Influence Of Russia
October 11, 2021
Video
New meets old: Propagandists outpace youth in building Baikal-Amur Mainline
April 29 – May 5
Drawn to the sea again: The Arctic Ocean as destiny
April 22 – April 28
Quest for Overcoming the Sanction Obstacle Course
April 15 – April 21
Quality or Quantity? The Dilemma of Aggressive Export
April 8 – April 14
EU considers new sanctions as pro-democracy forces seek Western recognition
April 29 – May 5
EU readies 14th package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus
April 22 – April 28
The USA has directed sanctions at the Belarusian military-industrial complex
April 15 – April 21
Belarus: “High-Risk Country”
April 8 – April 14
Regime works on inventing casus belli for military conflict with Ukraine, but so far uses it for home consumption
April 29 – May 5
New military doctrine: the West is the enemy, Russia is the friend, nuclear weapons are to be used for attack
April 22 – April 28
Security Forces Establish a System of Intense Surveillance Over Belarusians
April 15 – April 21
Co-aggressor or Peacemaker?
April 8 – April 14
Resistance scores 2-0 lead in cyber war against the regime
April 29 – May 5
Coordinating Council elections: Demand demonstrated for a common platform for democratic forces
April 22 – April 28
Diplomatic Successes of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: Asset for Democratic Forces and Investment in the Future?
April 15 – April 21
The Coordination Council Returns to the Agenda of the Democratic Movement
April 8 – April 14
Unveiling the re-Sovietisation of the labour market: Serfdom, profiteers, and freeloaders
April 29 – May 5
Lukashenka’s regime seems to last forever, until it ends
April 22 – April 28
Regime’s Guardians — Who Are They?
April 15 – April 21
Deficit of Loyal Staff, “Wolf Ticket” for Dissenters
April 8 – April 14