10 February, Minsk /BELTA/. An increase in utility tariffs in Belarus was preceded by wage growth. This was stated today to journalists by Igor Fomin, Director of the Price Policy Department of the Ministry of Economy of Belarus, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Throughout 2010, utility tariffs in Belarus were not increased. The last increase in housing and utility services tariffs was on January 1, 2009. "The current tariff increase was preceded by an ahead-of-the-curve growth in wages, pensions, and benefits," noted the department director. He added that the tariff increase was carried out within the limits set by the President. Igor Fomin also noted that currently, the share of expenses for utility services accounts for up to 10% of a family's total expenditure structure. At the same time, in European Union countries, utility expenses constitute approximately one-third of such expenditures. However, the department director acknowledged that the income levels of the population in Belarus and the EU countries are incomparable. "But if we compare the growth rate of incomes and the latest tariff increase, it allows citizens to still have an increase in real incomes in the final balance," said the representative of the Ministry of Economy. Regarding future prospects for changes in utility tariffs, everything will depend on the economic situation. "If there is an increase, it will be supported by the growth of the population's income," emphasized Igor Fomin. -0-

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