On April 20, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. The refinancing rate of the National Bank of Belarus will be increased from 12% to 13% per annum from April 20, 2011. This was reported to BelTA by the Information Department of the National Bank. The corresponding resolution No. 127 of April 11, 2011, was adopted by the Board of the National Bank, taking into account the prevailing inflation rate. The consumer price index in March was 101.9%, with the main reasons for its increase being the rise in prices for gasoline and a number of food products. An increase in the refinancing rate and, consequently, in the interest rates on deposits in Belarusian rubles will be an additional measure to maintain a positive value of real money market rates and stimulate the inflow of savings into banks. The National Bank will continue to support the level of interest rates that ensures the safety and attractiveness of ruble deposits of the population and organizations in banks, as well as contributes to strengthening financial stability, taking into account the development of external and internal economic processes, the Information Department of the National Bank noted. As a reminder, the refinancing rate of the National Bank of Belarus was last increased on March 16, 2011, by 1.5 percentage points to 12% per annum. -0-

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