February 20, Minsk / Anna Kot - BELTA/. The National Bank of Belarus will not resume foreign currency lending to individuals. This was announced today to journalists by the head of the National Bank, Nadezhda Ermakova, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
Thus, the National Bank did not support the Prime Minister's initiative to resume foreign currency lending to individuals for housing construction. "The Prime Minister agreed with us. We have determined that we can lend for housing construction in Belarusian rubles," said Nadezhda Ermakova. At the same time, it is theoretically possible to return to discussing this issue in a year or two, she added.
"There is no need today to revoke the decision to cease foreign currency lending. The population had many problems with devaluation," noted Nadezhda Ermakova. She reported that the possibility of resuming foreign currency lending to individuals for housing construction was discussed by the National Bank with the heads of most Belarusian banks. Bank representatives categorically objected to such a possibility.
"Furthermore, why should we form an opinion that our Belarusian ruble is no longer any good, and that only currency, as written on forums and by some journalists, will save us. We need foreign currency for other purposes," added Nadezhda Ermakova.
This week, state-owned banks will decide how they will lend for housing construction, the head of the National Bank also reported. This concerns loans for those in need. "State-owned banks have put forward their proposals on how they will lend in Belarusian rubles at a lower rate," noted Nadezhda Ermakova.
The head of the National Bank also said that the forecast for reducing the refinancing rate to 13-15% per annum by the end of the year has not been cancelled. This is a goal to strive for, as high rates are a brake on the economy, she stressed. At the same time, there is no need to rush under any circumstances; inflation and other economic indicators must be taken into account, as an incorrect decision could lead to the situation getting out of control. "We need to act carefully," Nadezhda Ermakova is confident. The head of the National Bank noted the reduction and stabilization of rates in the interbank lending market as a positive trend.-0-