On January 24, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. The Decree "On Certain Issues of Providing State Support to Citizens for the Construction (Reconstruction) or Purchase of Housing" dated January 6, 2012, will help streamline the queues of those in need of improved housing conditions. This opinion was expressed on the air of the ONT TV channel's "Open Format" program by Irina Arkhipova, First Deputy Minister of Architecture and Construction of Belarus, BelTA reports. "The decree on preferential housing construction loans is driven by the need to streamline the queues of those in need of improved housing conditions and to save funds," noted the First Deputy Minister. According to Irina Arkhipova, the document was ready back in the summer but was not adopted due to the search for reserves to issue loans to all those in need. "However, we only managed to ensure that the new conditions do not apply to already concluded loan agreements. In general, we have taken into account everything we could," she emphasized. Regarding the results of 2011 and plans for 2012, the First Deputy Minister noted that these years are not indicative for housing construction in Belarus. "Much has been done in the country to increase the production capacities of enterprises, and it would have been possible to calmly build the planned 7.5 million square meters of housing nationwide last year. For this year, we have received a minimum target of 4.2 million square meters," she reported. Irina Arkhipova believes that the current year is not suitable for improving housing conditions. "The categories of citizens eligible for preferential housing construction loans will be reduced. Other citizens will be able to build housing in the future by relying on their own efforts and funds, as the efforts taken by the government will make the country's economy work," emphasized Irina Arkhipova.-0-

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