The National Bank of Belarus will lower the refinancing rate to 12.5% per annum from April 19

April 17, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. The National Bank of Belarus will reduce the refinancing rate from 13% to 12.5% per annum starting April 19 this year. This was reported to BelTA by the information department of the country's main banking institution. The corresponding decision is contained in the resolution of the National Bank's Board of Directors dated April 16, 2010, No. 106. At the same time, the rates on permanently available operations to support current liquidity will be reduced to 19.5% per annum, and the rates on permanently available operations to withdraw current liquidity - to 8% per annum. The change in interest rates is aimed primarily at further increasing the availability of bank loans for enterprises and the population and, on this basis, promoting the accelerated socio-economic development of the country. The National Bank explained that the decision to reduce interest rates was made taking into account the low inflation rates, the stable situation on the foreign exchange market, and the high growth rates of citizens' deposits in the national currency. At the same time, one of the basic principles of the National Bank's interest rate policy is maintained - maintaining interest rates at a positive real level, which contributes to higher attractiveness of ruble deposits compared to deposits in foreign currency. The National Bank will continue to pursue an interest rate policy aimed at gradually reducing the overall level of interest rates in the economy, while ensuring the stability of the national currency and the financial system as a whole. The main directions of Belarus's monetary policy for 2010 provide for a reduction in the refinancing rate by the end of the year to 9-12% per annum, and loan rates - to 12-15% per annum. -0-