"The policy of gradual reduction of the refinancing rate is being pursued against the backdrop of low inflation intensity, consistent with forecast parameters, and the effective performance of Belarusian enterprises in foreign markets," the National Bank noted. As confirmation, the National Bank cited the following statistical data for the first half of 2012: the consumer price index increased by 10.5% over six months, while core inflation, excluding changes in regulated prices and prices for seasonal products, was 9.5%.

The exercises were held in Vitebsk starting from August 29. Over the course of these days, more than 1,000 employees from 45 institutions of education, healthcare, law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and various city enterprises took direct part in it. Over 70 units of equipment were also involved.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations rescued a watchman born in 1965 from the entrance hall. The victim, unconscious with burns to the head and body of 2-3 degrees over 40% of the body surface area and poisoning by combustion products, was taken to the regional clinical hospital.

Villagers who left a good memory of themselves are honored in the Polotsk district of the Vitebsk region. The "Our Villager" campaign, timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Vitebsk region, has begun in the Polotsk district, the ideology department of the Polotsk district executive committee told a BELTA correspondent.

Revenues of the Vitebsk region budget from the use of state property for January-November 2012 doubled compared to last year's figures.

Over 53 billion rubles of the agricultural enterprises' own funds are allocated for its repair. They will have to find substantial amounts for fuel procurement. And 240 billion rubles will be needed for sowing. Incidentally, banks are releasing 106 billion rubles in preferential credit resources, of which 17.5 billion rubles have already been utilized.

Polotsk, Orsha, Postavy, and Glubokoye will represent the Vitebsk region at the festival of Belarusian written language in Bykhov. Larisa Olenskaya, Deputy Head of the Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, informed a BELTA correspondent about this.

Nine months after the resignation of Władysław Blin, the Catholics of Prydvinye did not have their own bishop. He was temporarily replaced by Apostolic Administrator Franciszek Kisiel. And now, finally, Pope Francis has appointed Father Oleg Butkevich as the new chief hierarch of the Vitebsk diocese.

On the eve of the Defender of the Fatherland and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Belarus, a significant event took place at the Educational Institution "Secondary School No. 15 of Polotsk". A ceremony of initiation into "young friends of border guards" was held with the 10th-grade students. The command of the Polotsk Border Detachment carries out extensive work in educating the younger generation.

Promising territories for the construction of individual housing in Vitebsk have been identified in the area of the suburban village of Olgovo, and as a reserve site for a more distant period - the area upstream of the river beyond the under-construction HPP near Vitebsk (including near Ulanovichi), which is considered one of the cleanest areas of the suburbs.

The Vitebsk Regional Emergency Management Department is holding a literary competition dedicated to the Fire Service Day of the Republic of Belarus. Anyone interested can participate.

Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev is orienting the region's agrarians to obtain 2 million tons of grain. The head of the region set this task in the Orsha district, which hosted a regional training seminar on preparations for spring field work.

In Belarus, weekly direct telephone hotlines are organized by regional executive committees and the Minsk City Executive Committee to improve the effectiveness of work with appeals from citizens and legal entities, eradicate instances of bureaucracy and red tape, and paper-pushing, as well as to promptly resolve problematic issues that arise for people.