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Belarus has seen limited structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises. Since 2005, the government has re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition, businesses have been subjected to pressure by central and local governments, including arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. Continued state control over economic operations hampers market entry for businesses, both domestic and foreign. Government statistics indicate GDP growth was strong, reaching 10% in 2008, despite the roadblocks of a tough, centrally directed economy with a high rate of inflation. However, the global crisis pushed the country into recession in 2009, and GDP fell 0.2%. Slumping foreign demand hit the industrial sector hard. Minsk has depended on a standby-agreement with the IMF to assist with balance of payments shortfalls. In line with IMF conditions, in 2009, Belarus devalued the ruble more than 40% and tightened some fiscal and monetary policies. Nevertheless, Belarus missed its 2009 budget targets with a deficit of less than 1% of GDP. On 1 January 2010, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus launched a customs union, with unified trade regulations and customs codes still under negotiation. In late January, Russia and Belarus amended their 2007 oil supply agreement. The new terms will raise prices for above quota purchases and increase Belarus' current account deficit.
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$120.7 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$120.4 billion (2008 est.)
$109.5 billion (2007 est.)
note:
data are in 2009 US dollars
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$48.97 billion (2009 est.)
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0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
10% (2008 est.)
8.6% (2007 est.)
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$12,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
$12,400 (2008 est.)
$11,300 (2007 est.)
note:
data are in 2009 US dollars
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agriculture: 9.2%
industry:
41.8%
services:
49% (2009 est.)
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5 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 73
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agriculture: 14%
industry:
34.7%
services:
51.3% (2003 est.)
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1% (2009 est.)
1.6% (2005)
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27.1% (2003 est.)
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lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%:
22% (2005)
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27.9 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 124
21.7 (1998)
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36.9% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
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revenues: $22.14 billion
expenditures:
$22.48 billion (2009 est.)
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13% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
14.8% (2008 est.)
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12% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 38
10% (31 December 2007)
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8.55% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 108
8.58% (31 December 2007)
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$4.872 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
$4.065 billion (31 December 2007)
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$8.784 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
$6.823 billion (31 December 2007)
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$18.42 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
$12.16 billion (31 December 2007)
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$NA
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grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk
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metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators
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-2.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
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29.92 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
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30.54 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
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5.062 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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9.406 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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31,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
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173,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
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303,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
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444,800 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
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198 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
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152 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
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17 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
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0 cu m (2009)
country comparison to the world: 58
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17.6 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
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2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
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-$6.405 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
-$5.209 billion (2008 est.)
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$21.34 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$32.8 billion (2008 est.)
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machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
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Russia 33.6%, Netherlands 13.78%, Ukraine 8.68%, Latvia 6.32%, Poland 4.19%, Germany 4.17% (2009)
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$28.31 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$39.04 billion (2008 est.)
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mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals
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Russia 56.42%, Germany 8.31%, Ukraine 4.79%, China 4.04% (2009)
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$4.831 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$2.687 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
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$7.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$15.15 billion (31 December 2008)
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Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 2,850 (2009), 2,130 (2008), 2,145 (2007), 2,144.6 (2006), 2,150 (2005)
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