OREANDA-NEWS  On 15 September was announced, that World Bank Country Director for Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova Martin Raiser believes Belarus’ GDP forecast for 2009 is not too ambitious despite the inevitable rise in energy prices.

“Belarus’ targets used to be higher than ours, and real figures were even higher, so we do not rule out that both the GDP and inflation forecasts for 2009 will be met,” he said.

The World Bank will announce specific forecasts for Belarus in October 2008.

Earlier, Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko signed ordinance #459 to approve the socioeconomic development forecast for 2009, with GDP expansion target standing between 10% and 12%.