Page 6 - bne IntelliNews Country Report: Belarus Dec17

and better-targeted system of support to offset the impact on the poorest," the lender added. "More broadly, the social safety net should be modernised, including the unemployment framework, to provide cushion for SOE restructuring."
In 2017, Belarus-IMF negotiations over a new multi-billion support package failed. In July, the IMF's deputy spokesman, William Murray, said that negotiations with Belarus over a new aid programme are "on hold" pending clarity on whether there is a high level of support in Belarus for policies, particularly in the state-owned enterprises and utility sectors.
2.1 Almost all of the EBRD countries booming
Higher exports and rising levels of investment on the back of improving commodity prices have prompted the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to significantly increase its forecasts for economic growth in Emerging Europe. The bank made its case for the revised forecasting in its latest Regional Economic Prospects report released on November 6 .
Countries across the entire EBRD region, with two exceptions, are enjoying broad-based growth and rising income levels. Several countries where the development bank is active are also experiencing record low unemployment. The negatives in the picture are minimal and are mainly caused by economies running up against structural constraints. Rising inflation is, however, a growing concern in some locations.
Average growth across the EBRD region will be 3.3% this year, the development bank forecast. That equates to a rise of 0.9 percentage points over the previous estimate from the bank that was issued in May at the time of the bank’s annual meeting. Growth in 2016 only reached 1.9%.
The EBRD tracks the economies of 37 emerging countries, where it finances projects and supports reforms that promote sustainable and environmentally-friendly market economies.
6 BELARUS Country Report December 2017 www.intellinews.com