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Government Type |
republic |
Legal System |
based on civil law system |
Currency |
Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR) |
Economic Overview |
Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprise. In addition to the burdens imposed by high inflation and persistent trade deficits, businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies help those at the bottom of the ladder. Close relations with Russia, possibly leading to reunion, color the pattern of economic developments. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from the West and its open-market economies. |
Natural Resources |
forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay |
Primary Industries |
metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, television sets, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators |
Agricultural Products |
grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk |
Import Commodities |
mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals |
Export Commodities |
machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals; textiles, foodstuffs |
Export Partners |
Russia 53.7%, Latvia 6.5%, Ukraine 5.6%, Lithuania 3.7%, Poland, Germany (2001) |
AIRPORTS of Belarus |
Minsk National Airport |
International, Minsk 42km (26miles), Position 53 |
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