Housing minister: Utilities prices will grow

Belarus's Housing Minister Uladzimir Belakhvostau has announced about the possible increase in utilities fees.  The minister said that the growth of tariffs and prices was spurred by the last year's abrupt increase in the costs of energy resources.

Belakhvostau also noted that his ministry has been busy trying to improve energy efficiency. The possibilities and resources have been almost exhausted, he added.

"The further lowering of expenditures is possible only thanks to technical actions, including the use of energy-saving equipment and the replacement of fuel types", the minister said. The government has allocated almost Br300 billion for these purposes, reports the official news agency Belta.