OREANDA-NEWS. August 30, 2007. A session of the Council of Ministers chaired by Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky will take place on August 31 to consider draft presidential decrees regarding the adoption of the most important targets of the social and economic development forecast of the Republic of Belarus for 2008 and the adoption of the Major Monetary Management Guidelines for 2008, the next year’s budget bill and bills amending several legislative acts, reported the Official website http://www.government.by. 

In 2008 Belarus’ GDP may grow by 7,5-8,5% in comparison with 2007.

The industrial output is expected to grow by 7-8% next year, agricultural production — 6,5-8%, fixed-capital investments — 15-17%. The return on sales is supposed to make 12% while GDP energy consumption may go down by 6-7%.

Real population income is expected to swell by 8-9%.

Next year’s state budget deficit is expected to total Br2.3 trillion, 2% of the GDP. In 2008 revenues of the national budget are estimated at Br38.7 trillion, expenses — around Br41 trillion.
In 2008 inflation is supposed to total 6-8%. In late 2008 the refinancing rate will make 7-9%.