OREANDA-NEWS. September 4, 2008. Since early this year the Belarusian ruble has gained against all the main currencies — the US dollar, euro and the Russian ruble, Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) Piotr Prokopovich told President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on September 4.

Piotr Prokopovich noted, it is the first such strengthening of the Belarusian ruble in the history of the national currency.

The President was informed about the performance of the national banking system in the first eight months of the year. All major goals of the monetary management policy are fulfilled in 2008.

Lending to the economy is outstripping. Bank loans to the real economy increased by 60% in comparison with last year. As a result of the interest rate policy, which encourages individuals to deposit their money, the increase in individuals’ deposits has been higher than the target since the beginning of the year. The payment system has been working steadily.

The head of state was also informed about the progress in fulfilling the 2006-2010 banking industry development programme. The National Bank Chairman of the Board underscored that the banking system resources build-up goal of the five-year programme had been virtually accomplished. By late 2010 resources of the banking system are expected to exceed the targeted volume by at least 100%. Consistent efforts are exercised to build up the resource base in order to enable it to fully satisfy the demand of the real economy and individuals for money and banking services, noted Piotr Prokopovich.

During the meeting the fulfilment of other instructions issued by the head of state was discussed as well, in particular, instructions regarding an increase in housing construction. By 2011 Belarus is supposed to build at least 10 million square metres of new homes per annum.

Alexander Lukashenko demanded that all instructions regarding the increase in housing construction and investments in Belarus as a whole, observance of housing construction deadlines, and housing construction quality enhancement should be kept to by all administration bodies.