Belarus Country Insight

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Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA: $11,800 (2008 est.)
Inflation Rate: 14.8% (2008 est.)
Population: 9,648,533 (July 2009 est.)
Country Risk Ratings: D
Ease of Doing Business: 85/181

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Belarus : Introduction

After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place.

Capital City: Minsk (+2 GMT)

Currency: Belarusian ruble (BYR) (convert)

Languages: Belarusian, Russian, other

Calling Code: 375

Voltage: 220

Religions: Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20%

quick links

Belarus: World Bank Doing Business Indicators
Belarus: BBC Country Profile
Belarus: MSU Global Access

Belarus: Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry promotes establishment and development of business relations between the Belarusian and foreign businessmen. This resource provides a list of trade events to take place in the country, legal services, foreign trade services and exhibitions. The web site is available in Russian and English.

Belarus: Ministry of Statistics and Analysis: Official statistical database of Belarus. The web site provides main socio-economic statistical data. A copy of the statistical reports can be ordered, since the data is not downloadable. The site provides links to the web sites of the other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine). (English and Russian)

Belarus: National Bank of the Republic of Belarus: The National Bank of the Republic of Belarus performs the functions of the Central Depositary and financial agent of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus concerning bonds placement and redemption. Available in Russian and English.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (July 2009)