unist
Party), Viktor CHIKIN, chairman
Member of:
CBSS (observer), CE (guest), CEI (participating), CIS, CSCE, ECE,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFC, ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory
user), IOC, ITU, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Sergey Nikolayevich MARTYNOV
chancery:
1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 986-1604
FAX:
(202) 986-1805)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires George KROL
embassy:
Starovilenskaya #46, Minsk
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
7-0172-34-65-37
Flag:
three horizontal bands of white (top), red, and white

@Belarus, Economy
Overview:
Belarus ranks among the most developed of the former Soviet states,
with a relatively modern - by Soviet standards - and diverse machine
building sector and a robust agriculture sector. It also serves as a
transport link for Russian oil exports to the Baltic states and
Eastern and Western Europe. The breakup of the Soviet Union and its
command economy has resulted in a sharp economic contraction as
traditional trade ties have collapsed. At the same time, the
Belarusian Government has lagged behind most other former Soviet
states in economic reform; privatization has barely begun; the
agriculture sector remains highly subsidized; the state retains
control over many prices; and the system of state orders and
distribution persists. Meanwhile, the national bank continues to pour
credits into inefficient enterprises, fueling inflation and weakening
incentives to improve performance. The government is pinning its hopes
on reintegration with the Russian economy, but such a path would only
partially restore traditional trade ties. Until economic reform is
embraced, Belarus will continue in its economic morass.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $61 billion (1993 estimate from
the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and
published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as
extrapolated to 1993 using official Belarusian statistics, which are
very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)
National product real growth rate:
-9% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,890 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
30% per month (1993)
U