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National Bank Says Belarus to Postpone Russian Ruble Launch
to 2007
Belarus
and Russia will need two more years to prepare the necessary economic
conditions for the launch of a single currency of the Union State of Belarus
and Russia, Petr Prokopovich, Chairman of the National Bank of Belarus
(NBB), stated.
"I believe
we may launch the Russian ruble on January 1, 2007 to be able to launch a
single currency from 2008, as stipulated in the Union State treaty,"
Chairman Prokopovich said.
According
to him, the two countries need at least two years to create a single
economic and customs space and equalize economic conditions for the
population and business. "A single currency launch is to crown economic and
political integration," Chairman Prokopovich added.
Major Belarusian Producer of Tires Expends Production
The Joint
Stock Company Belshina (Belarus, Bobruisk) boosted the output of automobile
and motorcycle tires by 70.7% over January-June to the amount of BYR 170.9
billion, a company representative informed. Since early this year Belshina
produced 127 thousand tires for the agricultural equipment (up by 28.6%),
1,168 thousand car tires (up by 17.5%), 1.8 thousand super-size tires for
trucks (up by 52.8%). Belshina supplies tires to more than 40 states, which
consumes up to 85% of the company's total production volume.
This year
the company is focusing on the whole-steel-cord-frames tire production. This
sort of tires sells well in the CIS states, where there is a shortage of
such products. Belshina is also planning to produce new
whole-steel-cord-frame tires for the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant (MZKT) to
replace imported tires.
Belshina
is one of Europe's largest producers of tires. It makes over 200 models of
tires for all kinds of vehicles. Main customers are Russia and the Ukraine.
The company is constantly introducing new models of tires. The company
launches new quality control system in accordance with international ISO
9000 standards.
(2,156
Belarusian rubles are US $1)
Number of Unemployed Down by 20.5% in the First Half of the
Year
The number
of officially registered unemployed people in Belarus decreased by 20.5% in
January-June to 108,200 as of July 1, an official with Belarusian Statistics
Ministry said.
Belarus
unemployment rate was at 2.4% of the economically active population as of
July 1, 2004, down by 0.7 % point from January 1.
Besides,
180,000 people, or 4.2% of Belarus labor force, were on extended leave or
worked part-time in January-June. In January-May 333,000 people, or 7.7% of
Belarus' labor force changed jobs. Currently Belarus labor force is
estimated at 4.3 million people, or 43% of Belarus total population.
The Parliament Passes Law on Support for Innovation Activity
The
Council of the Republic (the Upper House of the Belarusian Parliament),
passed a bill on state support and guarantees provided for innovation
activity. Earlier the bill passed the House of Representatives.
"Belarus
has resolved to follow the innovation way of the development of its economy,
which implies production of goods and services on the basis of high
technologies," said Anatoly Novikov, Chairman of the Social Issues
Commission of the Council of the Republic.
The law
determines legal framework for innovation activity in the areas of science
and industry, defines the basis for state innovation policy and conditions
of providing state support and state guarantees for innovation entities. The
law envisages the provision of short- and long-term loans, tax preferences
and customs preferences for imported component parts and equipment which are
not produced in Belarus and are used for high-tech production. Besides, the
law provides for direct state financing of innovation projects and state's
participation in financing and patenting of intellectual property entities
used in Belarus' domestic production.
Minsk Defines 14 Sites for Construction of Hypermarkets
Minsk City
Administration has determined 14 sites for the construction of hypermarkets
financed from foreign sources, Mikhail Sventitsky, Belarus Deputy Trade
Minister, said.
Each site
has an area between 6,000 and 10,000 square meters and is worth up to
U.S.$30 million, he added. Belarusian goods are to account for at least 70%
of the hypermarket's range of goods. "We are not against healthy
competition, but our priority is to support national producers," Mikhail
Sventitsky said.
According
to him, the first proposals to construct hypermarkets in Minsk were received
three years ago. The first hypermarket is to be opened late this year by
Britain's BelWillisden.
On Assembling Production of "Motovelo" in Afghanistan
This year
the Open Joint Stock Company "Motovelo" is going to set up motorcycle
assembling facilities in Afghanistan. According to the company's
specialists, in July 2004 the first batch of the necessary equipment will be
supplied to Afghanistan along with 180 unassembled motorcycles. Besides, a
company representative will be sent for consultations. By the end of the
year the new facility is expected to assemble 10,000 motorcycles.
This year
the company has successfully expanded the sales area by entering the Middle
East markets.
On Diamond Fields in Belarus
Around 40%
of the Belarusian territory can uncover native diamond fields, informed
General Manager of the Belarusian Scientific Geological Prospecting
Institute Belgeologiya Alexander Shuravin.
Scientists
and engineers found promising diamond fields mainly in the North and the
East of the country. World forecasting criteria allowed them to define the
territories. They used aeromagnetic surveying to look for kimberlitic pipes
� natural containers said to store diamonds.
At the
moment 33 kimberlitic pipes have been unearthed. The scientists have
examined the diamond content in the pipes and found petite diamond grains
and minerals usually accompanying diamonds.
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