OREANDA-NEWS. December 18, 2007. In Belarus capital investments in 2008 are projected to increase by 25% up to Br34,3 trillion, Economy Minister Nikolai Zaichenko told a session of the Council of Ministers, reported the Official website www.government.by.

According to him, the target is ambitious and should be met by using both domestic and foreign investments. An inflow of foreign investments needs to be increased, first of all, that of direct foreign investments which are forecast to total $1,4 billion. The target of $780 million will be set forth for government bodies and other organisations subordinate to the Government, the target of $620 million – for oblast executive committees and Minsk City Council. These targets should be met through setting up and developing joint ventures and foreign companies.

Speaking about other 2008 targets, the minister informed that the GDP is forecast to grow by 11%. The industrial output is expected to up by 11% so as the output of consumer goods, including foodstuffs by 10,5% and nonfoods by 12%. The agricultural production in the companies of all categories is prognosticated to ramp up by 8,5%.