Belarus likely to raise utilities costs in October

Belarus is likely to raise tariffs for utilities by 22 percent on October 1, 2007. The Ministry of Economy says the issue is under study. At the same time, talking to a meeting of local officials in Lida on September 16, Prime Minister Siargey Sidorski promised that utilities costs would not be raised before the end of this year.


Belarus deputy housing minister Siargey Sushko is quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying that utilities tariffs could be raised, but no final decision has been made yet.

At the same time, Sushko admits that if tariffs soar, the paying power of the population will be greatly undermined. The current debt of the population for utilities bills amounts to Br40 billion.

Recently, Belarus Minister of Housing Uladzimir Bukhvostau said after a meeting with Alexander Lukashenka that "there are no grounds for a sharp increase in the utilities tariffs for the population".

He said proposals were being drafted for the next year of 2008.

Prime Minister Suargey Sidorski made a similar statement in August. He promised that the tariffs would remain at the same level till the end of the year, but called on the Belarusians to save energy resources.

Photo: www.bsb.by