Belarus is one of the most rapidly developing CIS states, occupying 57th position in UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Index (TDI). UNCTAD experts singled out the high indicators of economic and social welfare of individuals and the registered growth of foreign trade. The indicators landed Belarus on the 34th position ahead of all the CIS states and several countries in Central Eastern Europe. The facts are presented by UNCTAD’s publication “Developing Countries in International Trade 2007: Trade Development Index”. Permanent Representative of Belarus at the UNO Office and other international organisations in Geneva Sergei Aleinik told BelTA, Belarus occupies quite a high position in this peculiar table of ranks. There is no reliable system of indicators yet that would allow drawing an absolutely objective picture of the development of countries. Which is why UNCTAD constantly seeks new ways, makes the system of indicators more complicated and changes assessment methods, said Sergei Aleinik. In his words, UNCTAD TDI is still a good instrument for scientific research institutions, which work out economic policies in Belarus. The TDI can be considered as a useful instrument for comparing achievements of different countries, assessing their development pace, stressed the Belarusian diplomat. The position in the table as compared to other countries of the region and several main trade and economic partners is more important than figures themselves. The points awarded to a country mean a lot. “We are satisfied that year after year Belarus is awarded more points, which testifies to the country’s progressive advance,” added Sergei Aleinik. The main purpose of the TDI is to help governments with making policies for more effective participation in the global economy and benefits achieved by the international trade via progressive economic advance, new jobs and better living standards of the people. This year’s Trade and Development Index covers 123 countries (110 countries in 2005) and includes 11 components and 34 separate indicators. This year’s TDI has been specified and improved following wishes expressed by the member-states and the scientific community. In particular, three new components have been added to the structural and institutional dimensions of the Index: internal financial resources, international financial resources and macroeconomic stability. Two new components have been added to achievements in trade and development — results of participation in trade and social-economic welfare. New indicators include gross level of domestic savings, general service of the external debt, short-term debts, quality of the regulation system, control over corruption and inflation, current account balance, correlation of incomes of male and female population, the share of women in the total labour force, the level of literacy among the adult population as an education indicator.