OREANDA-NEWS. On July 17, 2008 President Alexander Lukashenko met with Premier Sergei Sidorsky to receive his report, reported the Official website http://president.gov.by.

The Premier informed the President on the results of the Government’s work aimed at dealing with the consequences of the hurricane that struck Belarus on 13-15 July. Worst hit was the Berezino district, Minsk Region. According to Sergei Sidorsky, within 24 after the hurricane the communication lines between the suffered districts were repaired, temporary energy supply units were put to use, which ensured non-stop operation of economic entities.

The President paid special attention of the Government to the need to restore and repair the suffered houses. As of today, 254 buildings need repair in connection with the hurricane.

The Head of State was also informed on the forecasts of social and economic development of Belarus and national budget for the year 2009. The Premier said the Government had already prepared these documents. GDP is expected to grow at the rate of 10-12 per cent.

The President stressed his demand once again that national budget should remain socially-oriented. Next year’s budget will focus on healthcare, improvement of social infrastructure and education. The relevant spending will be increased significantly in 2009. An average salary in the government sector is expected to rise to the equivalent of US560 by the end of 2009. Also planned are fresh tax cuts, due to which about Br 2 trillion will remain in the real production sector.

The President was informed on the progress with regard to the ongoing harvest campaign. The harvest of cereal crops started in the Brest and Gomel Regions. This year, agricultural companies prepared well for the harvest, signalling they would manage to gather in a record high harvest. 

The Prime Minister informed the President on the country’s economic performance in H1 2008. The year-on-year production growth was registered at 13 per cent. The country reported a significant rise in investment (over 23 per cent from the same period last year) and residential housing construction where 2,7 million square meters of housing have been built and commissioned out of 5,2-5,7 million planned for the entire year.

The return on sales is expected to top 17 per cent this year due to the high quality of Belarusian products, which are in demand not only domestically, but also internationally, the Premier said. The President once again pointed to the need to set up new companies and production facilities in Belarus to manufacture goods that enjoy demand abroad.

As for inflation, in H1 this index reached the planned 7,3 per cent. The reason for this was the influence of external financial factors, according to Sergei Sidorsky. He told the President that the Government was taking all the necessary measures to ensure economic stability in Belarus and minimise inflation.