The gas price for Belarus could grow to $288 for a thousand cubic meters in 2012. This was stated by Chairman of the Standing Committee of the House of Representatives on Budget, Finance and Tax Policy Alexander Antonenko on October 3.
"We have been working on the budget since March, proceeding from the contract price last year. They promise to use the integration factor, the sum of $288 is voiced," he said.
The deputy notes that the formation of the budget will end in October or November. "There have been some troubles related to exchange rates and price rises. We are a little disappointed with our economy, but we’ll fix it. The government is actively working on the topical issues today. The tariff rate will keep on rising. I hope that the price rise will finally stop. I would like the government to intervene more actively in economic processes, so that existing problems should be solved," he said, BelaPAN.
According to Alexander Antonenko, budget expenditures in 2012 will focus on social issues, as industry and agriculture "will have a number of issues to solve on their own," since "huge money has been invested in recent years."
Russian gas monopoly "Gazprom" plans to increase its stake in the Belarusian enterprise Beltransgaz from 50 to 100%. This was stated by the head of the holding, Alexey Miller, after a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on September 23. "Today, we actually ready to work out a serious package of documents," he said.
"This presupposes both a new contract for gas supplies to Belarus from January 1, 2012, supported by an intergovernmental agreement on the principles of pricing and tariffs, and an intergovernmental agreement and contract for the sale of Beltransgaz 50% shares," said Alexey Miller.
