On October 3, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. In 2013, Belarus plans to build 98.8 thousand sq.m. of social housing, reported to BELTA correspondent Galina Polyanskaya, Chairperson of the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives on Housing Policy, Construction, Trade and Privatisation, commenting on the bill on the republican budget for the next year. "Social housing, which will be built at the expense of the state, is planned in volumes of 98.8 thousand sq.m. Currently, it is planned to allocate Br454 billion for this purpose," said Galina Polyanskaya. The deputy also added that in 2013 it is planned to commission 110 thousand sq.m.: "But this will fall on the shoulders of local budgets." She recalled that Finance Minister Andrey Kharkovets, presenting the draft budget for 2013 to the House of Representatives before the first reading, announced plans to commission 6.5 million sq.m. of housing next year, including 2.5 million sq.m. for those registered as in need of improved housing conditions. The latter are precisely those who build housing with state support: "That is, these are people entitled to a preferential loan." Galina Polyanskaya explained that for the category of needy people, who are also entitled to a preferential loan, but with a higher interest rate, it is planned to build 2.950 million sq.m. in 2013. The remaining 1.05 million sq.m. is housing in rural areas and small towns, as well as housing to be built at their own expense. In addition, it is planned that the average annual cost of 1 sq.m. of housing in the country will be about Br4.590 million. The deputy stressed that in terms of housing construction and the budget as a whole, it maintains a social orientation. As reported, the House of Representatives adopted the bill on the republican budget for the next year in the first reading on the first day of the session ending for the fourth convocation, October 2. The total amount of consolidated budget revenues for 2013 is projected at Br197.41 trillion, or 31.3% of GDP. Revenues of the republican budget are projected at Br121.72 trillion, or an increase of 26.1% compared to the expected performance in 2012. The main sources of tax revenues of the republican budget are value added tax, excise taxes, and tax revenues from foreign economic activity. Consolidated budget expenditures for 2013 are projected at Br197.41 trillion. Expenditures under the republican budget bill are formed in the amount of Br121.72 trillion. -0-

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