13 June, Minsk /Lyudmila Sats - BELTA/. The International Monetary Fund recommends reducing lending for state programs in Belarus. This was announced today to journalists by the head of the IMF mission to the Republic of Belarus, Chris Jarvis, following the mission's work in our country, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "The National Bank should limit monetary and credit issuance. It is necessary to reduce lending within state programs, increase interest rates and make them higher than the inflation level so that the population is confident that their savings will not be affected," said Chris Jarvis. The state should also reduce the budget deficit and, in the future, achieve a balanced budget. Regarding wage policy, the IMF believes that wages in the country should not be significantly increased. "We know that prices are rising in Belarus. But a significant increase in wages will lead to further price growth and a fall in the exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble," said Chris Jarvis. "We welcome the state's plans to support the unemployed," said Chris Jarvis. "We also welcome the steps taken by the National Bank to increase interest rates and stop providing cheap resources for lending to state programs. According to Chris Jarvis, Belarus can also successfully cope with limiting state expenditures. Overall, the IMF recommended that the state authorities of Belarus work together to develop a clear plan to overcome the current difficult situation.-0-

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