Russia is ready to provide Belarus with credit support totaling more than $6 billion. - A. Lukashenko

May 17, Minsk /BELTA/. Russia is ready to provide Belarus with credit support exceeding $6 billion. This was stated today by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko while receiving a report from Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian President. "I have just spoken with President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. He called me. We are in negotiations with the Russian Federation on providing a stabilization loan to support the exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble. According to all negotiations, they are ready to respond to this urgently, if needed, and not urgently, if it is not needed by us. And this is approximately $3.1 billion, if, of course, we sign a relevant agreement with them," Alexander Lukashenko said. According to him, everything is practically done now, and Belarus can receive this loan. In addition, Alexander Lukashenko noted: "Approximately $3 billion is for future sales of our goods. They are ready to credit us. In total, it comes to over $6 billion – this is enough this year not only for stabilization but also to have solid gold and foreign exchange reserves." "But at the same time, it should be borne in mind that our economy is still growing, GDP is 112.3% compared to the same period last year – this is high. Of course, a small amount of funds is lacking, as oil, raw materials, components, etc. are still at high prices. This is objective. But these are temporary difficulties, and I would like the government and the National Bank not to try too hard in terms of borrowed funds, because they will have to be repaid. Therefore, the focus should be on living within our means," the head of state emphasized. "I specifically spent a week in agricultural organizations, looking at what is happening there," the President said. "There is no catastrophe, farms are working stably, normally, but what is happening now in the currency and consumer markets in the country as a whole, I would like to hear from you. Only objectively. Everything that is happening. If I need to drop everything and get involved in this issue now – fine. I will deal with it. If the situation is manageable for now and you see prospects, then let's not rush, let's act calmly in this direction." "As you know, a group monitoring the currency and consumer markets reports to me. I would like to hear from you about everything that is happening in the currency and consumer markets first and foremost. I know you met yesterday and supposedly developed another regular decision. But I want to warn you again to provide me with an objective assessment, so that I can finally draw certain conclusions, because there are many speakers, but there should be only one conclusion," Alexander Lukashenko demanded, addressing the Prime Minister. Mikhail Myasnikovich reported to the President that the country is ensuring stable economic development. Compared to the first four months of last year, employment has increased by 15.6 thousand people. "That is, people are working, all enterprises are working. Of course, there are moments when things have to be resolved manually, but the situation is manageable, coordination is fully ensured, and the government is taking the necessary management decisions," Mikhail Myasnikovich said. -0-