Bloomberg - Russia-Led Fund to Decide on $3b Loan to Belarus in 4Q This Year

Final loan size yet to be determined, will depend on economic forecasts, commitment to structural reform, Alisher Mirzoev, director of project group on finance loans at Almaty, Kazakhstan-based Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development says in interview in Minsk, Belarus.

Belarus has access limit of $1.8b

“The steady, consistent, irreversible process of reform is the main condition for the new loan”

Belarus needs to reduce directed govt lending, which will reduce pressure on ruble FX rate, help to reduce interest rates

Belarus won’t receive final $440m tranche from previous $3b loan, because that program is completed

Belarus needs to “learn lessons” from previous lending program, react to changing external conditions “on time”

Mirzoev speaks after conclusion of fund mission to Belarus