OREANDA-NEWS. On 22 December 2008 was announced, that Belarus’ Economy Ministry projects Belarus’ consumer price increase in 2009 between 9% and 11%, which is based on natural gas prices standing at U.S. USD 140 to USD 160 per 1,000 cubic meters, Deputy Economy Minister Vladimir Adashkevich told reporters.

According to him, inflation will reach 13.5% in 2008.

“We believe Russia’s natural gas price will be between USD 140 and USD 160 in 2009, and since gas prices depend on oil prices, it might be as low at USD 140 per 1,000 cubic meters. We have set up a workgroup to negotiate the gas price with Gazprom. We hope the matter will have been settled by December 25, 2008,” Adashkevich said.