Belarus rated low on Europe's economy freedom list

Belarus is taking the 150th position among 157 countries in the world judged by the level of the economic freedom, according to the annual rating released by the U.S.-based Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal. The rating is based on the ten indicators, including the freedom of investment and trade. Belarus scored only 44.7 points, according to the report.

Experts say Belarus has been ranked that low because it refused from post-Soviet reforms. They note that Belarus takes the lowest place among the European countries regarding the level of economic freedom in the country.

Hong Kong tops the list with 90.3 points. Singapore is the second with 87.4 points and Ireland is the third with 82.4 points. Our neighbors Lithuania is at the 26th position. Ukraine is 133th, and Russia is 134th, reports Belapan.