OREANDA-NEWS. June 19, 2008. In 2009-2010 the services sector of Belarus should grow 20% on average, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko said at a session of the Council of Ministers Presidium focusing on the services sector development programme 2006-2010. According to him, the goal is to ensure that the services sector should outpace the manufacturing sector growth. The services sectors account for 70% of GDP and more in developed countries. In 2007 in Belarus the share was 40.9%, below the target of 42-43%.

“In previous years and over the five months this year the locomotive of economic growth in Belarus has been the manufacturing industry,” Vladimir Semashko said. In January-May 2008 GDP grew by 10.4%, industrial production 13.3%. “We need to change the situation. In 2009-2010 the services industry needs to expand 20% on average,” he said.

In 2010 the services sector is expected to account for 46-48% of GDP, the staff engaged in this industry for 57-58% of the total number of people employed in economy.