OREANDA-NEWS. August 26, 2010. In 2010 Belarus will ensure the GDP growth at the level of 10-11% as against last year, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky said as he met with members of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB).

Despite the difficulties this year, in January-July Belarus’ GDP increased by 7%. Industrial output rose by about 10%, agricultural output by more than 8%. Real incomes of the population were up by 8%, retail sales by more than 15%.

“Other parameters of the forecast have been met too. As a whole, this means that the economic recovery has become a reality, and it in turn has an impact on all aspects of the implementation of social programs and problems,” the Prime Minister said.

In H1 2010 the workload at Belarusian oil refineries totaled 1.6 million tonnes per month, Sergei Sidorsky said.

“This year began with 1.2 million tonnes while last year we did 2 million tonnes. In January-June 2010 we loaded the refineries to almost 1.6 million tonnes,” said Sergei Sidorsky.

In his words, the Government is working out a system of measures to allow the oil refineries to work harder. “We got 6.8 million tonnes of duty-free oil for the domestic market but it is insufficient for developing the economy on the whole and the export potential,” said Sergei Sidorsky.

The Prime Minister also said that Belarus had started working with the countries it had not worked before. Ways to deliver oil via different routes are being developed. “It’s become complicated but we are managing. Anyway, we are doing our best, using swap schemes and other mechanisms to give more work to the oil refineries,” said the head of Government.

The financing of investment projects in Belarus is expected to go up by 4.5 times within the next five years, Prime Minister said.

“Within the next five years the volume of funds envisaged for investment projects in line with the state innovation development program which is currently being drafted will increase by 4.5 times,” Sergei Sidorsky said.

In his words, nearly 25 large innovation projects will be developed in every oblast. Almost 50 similar projects will be set up by national governing bodies. “About 100 new companies will be opened in the country,” Sergei Sidorsky said. The Government is now busy with drawing up the lists of the companies, elaborating the economy liberalization directive. Its provisions and outlined measures will help increase the number of jobs, first of all, in the private business.

The state innovation development program for 2010-2015 envisages the implementation of 1022 large innovative and investment projects, including setting up of 185 new companies. A total of 127,000 jobs have been provided in line with the state program on regional, small and medium-sized town development in 2007-2010.