OREANDA-NEWS. April 12, 2011. Belarus may allow tighter monetary and fiscal policies and pursue structural reforms to take Russian state loan, which may be provided as early as this April, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Rumas stated.

“I guess we will have to take measures to tighten both monetary and fiscal policies and pursue structural reforms, for instance, financing of state programs may be slashed in 2011. We will aim at restraining domestic demand and getting back to the policy of living within our means,” Rumas said.

Belarus is still in talks with Russia over the loan.

“Our delegation that participated in the first round of talks presented the economic policy measures we had designed for the near future. The Russian side had a few qualifying questions, but I believe we will be ready with answers early next week and will send a framework letter with specific figures to Russia,” he said.

Asked about the timeframe of the loan, Rumas said it depended on the time Russia would take to consider the documents. “There will likely be a second round of talks. If we manage to answer all their questions, we will be able to borrow as early as this April,” he said.