OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus' GDP growth will hardly exceed 0.9% in 2014, according to the latest forecast released by analysts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IMF mission leader David Hofman made a statement to this effect at a press-conference.

Mr Hofman visited Belarus to hold the 2014 Article IV Consultation discussions with the authorities.

Economic growth in Belarus will be affected by the decline in Russia's GDP growth and the negative situation in Ukraine, Hofman said.

Belarus' government had planned to achieve 5.7% GDP growth in 2014, but the original forecast was subsequently downgraded to 2.4%.