Belarus' external state debt up 5.3% to $18bn in H1 2020

In January-June 2020, the Belarusian government borrowed $1,817.8 million abroad, including $362.6 million from the Russian government and banks, $1,391.5 million of bonds floated on foreign financial markets, $41.4 million from the Export–Import Bank of China, $16.6 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and $5.7 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).

In H1 2020, Belarus spent $786.2 million to repay the external state debt, including $343.4 million to the Russian government, $209.4 million to Chinese banks, $176.6 million to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD), $54.8 million to the IBRD, $1.3 million to the EBRD and NIB, and $0.7 million to the U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation.

As of 1 July 2020, Belarus' state debt totaled Br52.6 billion, up by Br7.8 billion, or 17.5%, from the beginning of the year.

The internal state debt amounted to Br9.3 billion as of 1 July. Taking into account differences in currency exchange rates, the internal state debt went up by Br557.5 million or 6.4% from the beginning of the year.

In January-June 2020, the Belarusian government sold $210 million worth of domestic government bonds nominated in foreign currencies to individuals and corporations and redeemed $360.4 million and Br161.2 million worth of government bonds nominated in foreign and national currencies from corporations and individuals.