Minsk, December 30, 2024 – The Europe Today: Achieving the ambitious economic growth target of 4.1% in 2025 will be challenging, but it is a goal Belarus cannot afford to compromise on, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated during an interview on Belarus 1TV.
Addressing recent upward revisions of Belarusian economic forecasts by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), Golovchenko criticized these forecasts as tools of external influence. “These forecasts are a tool of certain manipulations… It is clear that he who pays the piper calls the tune,” he remarked, referring to earlier pessimistic projections amid external pressures.
Golovchenko emphasized that Belarus relies on its internally verified economic forecasts, which have proven accurate despite external skepticism. “The fact that they are now revising them upwards is a forced measure… This affects their reputation. If they cannot adequately forecast even such an indicator as the growth rate of the economy, then this begs the question how you can trust them,” he noted.
Discussing the government’s economic strategy, Golovchenko acknowledged the difficulties in achieving the 2025 target but underscored the necessity of maintaining ambitious objectives. “The task is challenging, but we cannot set other goals for ourselves because we have no other choice but to press forward,” he affirmed.
The Belarusian government remains resolute in pursuing its development agenda despite external challenges, with a focus on sustainable growth and self-reliance.
