The Belarusian government and National Bank should introduce a single fx rate (Br5 thousand per dollar or slightly more) by the end of this year. This was announced by First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko in the House of Representatives on June 30.
Vladimir Semashko said that almost all the enterprises of Belarus had adapted to the new dollar rate. «Today almost all businesses have adapted to the new dollar rate of Br5 thousand,» said Vladimir Semashko.
First Vice Prime Minister noted that «some companies adapted even in May.» «It wasn’t made up for those 56% which Belarusian ruble was devalued by. 25-30% was enough,» he said.
Vladimir Semashko explained that the cost of goods doesn’t make 100% of the price of imported materials or components. In addition, the companies used material and energy efficiency programs. The adapting process is slower at the refineries. At the same time Naftan, for instance, has generally reached the profitability of January 2011, First Deputy Prime Minister noted, BelTA informs.
«I think we’ve stabilized industrial products’ prices,» said First Deputy Prime Minister. «There is no reason for further large price increases either for groceries, or for industrial consumer goods,» said Vladimir Semashko.
Speaking about utility prices, Vladimir Semashko mentioned the ongoing negotiations with Gazprom to freeze and stabilize gas prices. «It gives us hope that we’ll significantly reduce this energy surge,» First Deputy Prime Minister noted, reminding that costs for the purchase of imported energy had significantly increased — by about $4 billion — in recent years.
