OREANDA-NEWS   Last year, Russia increased lending to other countries to more than $ 30 billion, the highest since 1999; Egypt, Bangladesh and India received the most new loans, according to an analysis of World Bank data conducted by RIA Novosti.

The amount of debt owed by other states to Russia increased by $1.3 billion last year and amounted to $30.1 billion. The last time the figure was above this mark was in 1999 ($32.8 billion).

Belarus remains the largest debtor — its debt amounts to $7.75 billion, or a quarter of all loans issued by Russia. Bangladesh is in second place with 6.6 billion dollars (22%), and India closes the top three with 4.1 billion (14%). The top 5 also includes Egypt ($3.3 billion, 11%) and Vietnam ($1.4 billion, 5%).

At the same time, Egypt borrowed the most last year — its liabilities jumped by $ 1.45 billion at once. Bangladesh's debt increased by $745 million and India's by $363 million. Uzbekistan's debt increased by $41.3 million, and Afghanistan's by $19.9 million. The obligations of Zambia, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Sudan and Moldova also increased - by a total of $26.54 million.

Last year, a new debtor appeared — Nicaragua, which for the first time since 2003 took out a loan from Russia in the amount of $ 16.9 million.

At the same time, the obligations of a number of countries to Russia have decreased. Somalia is in the lead here, to which Russia has written off almost the entire debt: if at the end of 2022 the country owed 703 million dollars, then at the end of last year it owed only 49 million. In addition, the debt of Belarus decreased by 487 million, Serbia — by 117 million, Armenia — by 40 million, Azerbaijan — by 22 million dollars. Another 10 countries have repaid obligations to Russia for $ 82 million.