Quantitative economic indicators retained their priority

On January 16^th, a governmental decree was published which provided a detailed implementation plan for socio-economic development in 2014.

The data in the plan suggests that economic performance indicators will focus on quantitative economic parameters. Quantitative targets will be communicated to export-oriented regional enterprises and concerns, despite their loss-making in some product exports positions. The degree of detail in the plan regarding performance parameters implies greater interference by the state in enterprises’ activities. In H1 2014, economic growth should be anticipated at around 1%. Substantial foreign investments are envisaged only in the city of Minsk and only in H1 2014, which means one or two major privatization transactions in 2014.