Russia to give Belarus $2bn in stabilization loan

Russia is set to issue a stabilization loan worth of $2 billion to Belarus, Russian ambassador in Minsk Alexander Surikov confirmed. The loan will be issued not later than December 2008, the ambassador said. Surikov noted that the loan  would be used to support the Belarusian economy and to cover the gaps in the payment balance associated with higher prices for gas.

Surikov reminded that in December 2007 Russia gave Belarus $1.5 billion in the stabilization loan.

Interfax