Belarus to build "agrarian towns" despite world crisis
Even when it costs the state $2 billion, the same amount as Belarus wants to borrow from the International Monetary Fund. In the framework of the national program to reform the agricultural sector, 1481 agrarian towns are expected to be built up to 2010. As of now, aproximately a half is remaining. To implement this program in the Minsk region alone, $2 billion was spent in 2007, writes Belaruskaya Niva newspaper. This is exactly the amount the country is seeking as a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The European Radio for Belarus explores if the government is set to save money on this important national project at the time of the world financial turmoil.
The program will be continued, reassures the Ministry of Agriculture. Ministry spokesman Mikalai Chupik says the world crisis has not affected the implementation of the program:
“I think that since the program is approved, it should be implemented. The crisis should not affect it”.
In the Karelichy district, two settlements will have received a status of agrarian towns by the end of this year. In the village of Ayutsavichy alone and Mir settlement, over $5.5 million was spent to build new housing projects.
Next year, three more agrarian towns will be built in the district. Local authorities hope the crisis will have ended by that time. Therefore, it is still unclear what is going to happen with this national program, Nina Kharoshka, the head of architecture and construction section at the Karelichy District Council, told the European Radio for Belarus:
Nina Kharoshka: “We plan to rebuild three agrarian townships. But these are just plans. The amount is approximately determined. But it is still unknown how it will be at the end of the day”.
Economist Mikhail Zaleski reckons that the construction of agrarian townships is lobbied by the people who make money on that, so the program will continue.
The program will be continued, reassures the Ministry of Agriculture. Ministry spokesman Mikalai Chupik says the world crisis has not affected the implementation of the program:
“I think that since the program is approved, it should be implemented. The crisis should not affect it”.
In the Karelichy district, two settlements will have received a status of agrarian towns by the end of this year. In the village of Ayutsavichy alone and Mir settlement, over $5.5 million was spent to build new housing projects.
Next year, three more agrarian towns will be built in the district. Local authorities hope the crisis will have ended by that time. Therefore, it is still unclear what is going to happen with this national program, Nina Kharoshka, the head of architecture and construction section at the Karelichy District Council, told the European Radio for Belarus:
Nina Kharoshka: “We plan to rebuild three agrarian townships. But these are just plans. The amount is approximately determined. But it is still unknown how it will be at the end of the day”.
Economist Mikhail Zaleski reckons that the construction of agrarian townships is lobbied by the people who make money on that, so the program will continue.
