On September 27, Minsk /Anna Kot - BELTA/. The growth of Belarus's international reserve assets, according to the International Monetary Fund methodology, is projected to be $0.3-0.7 billion as of January 1, 2014. This data is contained in the Main Directions of Monetary Policy of Belarus for 2013, approved on September 25, 2012, by Decree No. 419, reports a BELTA correspondent. The National Bank and the Government of Belarus will continue to implement measures aimed at maintaining the state's gold and foreign exchange reserves at a level that ensures the country's economic security, the document states. "Taking into account the repayment by the Republic of Belarus of domestic and external obligations in foreign currency, attraction of direct foreign investment into the country's economy ($4.5 billion on a net basis), and achievement of a positive balance of foreign trade in goods and services, international reserve assets, according to the International Monetary Fund methodology, will increase by $0.3-0.7 billion in 2013," the Main Directions of Monetary Policy of Belarus for 2013 state. The leadership of the National Bank of Belarus has previously stated on numerous occasions that by the end of 2012, the country's gold and foreign exchange reserves should be at least $8.2 billion. Thus, by the end of 2013, gold and foreign exchange reserves could reach $8.5-8.9 billion. According to preliminary data as of September 1, 2012, Belarus's gold and foreign exchange reserves, as defined by the IMF, amounted to $8158.5 million in equivalent. In the national definition, the volume of gold and foreign exchange reserves as of September 1 was $8775.8 million in equivalent. -0-

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