OREANDA-NEWS. The World Bank (WB) expects Belarus' inflation growth to exceed 16% in 2014. Sebastian Eckardt, World Bank Senior Economist for Belarus, made a statement to this effect at a press-conference on March 28.

The WB forecast is based on the anticipated growth of Belarus' utility tariffs (in accordance with the government plan) and the decline in the exchange rate of the Belarusian rubles, Mr Eckardt said.

Belarus was there to witness a 3.6% inflation growth in January-February 2014. Belarus' government expects inflation growth to stay under 11% in 2014. Belarus' consumer prices grew 16.5% in 2013, while the government's forecast stood at 12%.