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PP/10/06 The Macroeconomic Impact of Gas Price Increase in Belarus: Quantitative Assessement (PDF/64Kb) [12/01/2007]
Tochitskaya, I.
The shift of ‘Gazprom’ towards the market-based approaches to price setting for the CIS countries have brought about the substantial increase in gas prices. As a result, gas price for Belarus in 2007 will be USD100 and in 2011 would reach the level that European consumers have, excluding transportation costs. This announcement has caused numerous discussions on the possible macroeconomic consequences of such price increment. The paper, to some extent, sheds a light on this issue evaluating the impact of gas price increase based on computable general equilibrium model.
PP/09/06 The Development of Credit Unions in Belarus (PDF/78Kb) [20/12/2006]
Kruk, D.
This paper deals with the development of credit unions in Belarus. Our analysis reveals that inadequate regulation is currently the major problem hampering the development of this type of financial institution. Therefore the paper focuses especially on ways of introducing better standards for the reliable operation of credit unions, and looks at the optimal balance between prudential and non-prudential norms of regulation. In addition various issues related to the reliable operation of credit unions are discussed.
PP/08/06 The effects on international road freight transportation of the protectionist policies concerning the truck manufacturing industry in Belarus (PDF/83Kb) [12/12/2006]
Babicki, D., Giucci, R.
This paper discusses the protectionist policies concerning the truck manufacturing industry in Belarus and its effects on international road freight transportation. The major impediments to furthering the national road carrier network are discussed and recommendations are given on how to increase competitiveness.
PP/07/06 The Telecommunications Market in Belarus: Problems and Recommendations (PDF/98Kb) [18/07/2006]
Dashkevich, O., Giucci, R.
The current situation of the Belarusian telecommunications market is characterized by strong government presence. Government interference in the Belarusian telecommunications sector constrains its development. This paper discusses the necessity to decrease this presence in order to allow the telecommunications market to develop further. The paper also presents successful foreign examples of telecommunications deregulation within the EU and in CIS countries, which could be implemented in Belarus.
PP/06/06 Independent Regulation in Infrastructure Sectors: The Case for Regulating Local Transportation Markets in Belarus (PDF/62Kb) [17/07/2006]
Babicki, D., Chukhaj, A.
This paper is dedicated to the problem of independent regulation in infrastructure sectors. It starts out with a general part presenting some of the common arguments for independent regulation. It then turns to describe some current practices in England and Ukraine, and delineates the current situation on the local passenger transportation markets in Belarus. The paper argues that independent regulators should be established to regulate these markets.
PP/05/06 Abolishment of Turnover Taxes in Belarus: Economic and Fiscal Implications (PDF/29Kb) [16/07/2006]
Bach, S., Giucci, R.
This paper examines the current status of turnover taxes in Belarus and assesses the recent efforts to abolish them. It argues that the turnover taxes are distortionary and that they weaken the competitiveness of the economy. The tax system could be improved by abolishing these taxes. However, there would be a significant fiscal shock. Taking into account the high level of government revenues and expenditures in Belarus, the paper argues in favor of gradual abolishment of the turnover taxes in the next years and no financing of the revenue loss.
PP/04/06 Wage Determinants in Belarus: Labor Productivity and Wage Policy (PDF/67Kb) [10/06/2006]
Chubrik, A., Giucci, R.
This paper discusses the wage policy in Belarus and it consequences for the economy. It demonstrates that at the aggregate level there is a long-run relationship between labor productivity and wage growth measured in US Dollars. But in the short run the growth rates of these indicators differ significantly. It was found that these differences can to a large extent be explained by the political business cycle.
PP/03/06 Economics of Nuclear Power Development in Belarus (PDF/110Kb) [07/05/2006]
von Hirschhausen, C., Rumiantseva, I.
Nuclear power is back on the energy policy agenda, in particular in the emerging market economies and the transition countries of Eastern Europe and the CIS, including Belarus. In particular, nuclear power is sometimes considered as a panacea for import-dependent countries facing an increasing domestic electricity demand. What is often forgotten in the debate though, is that the development of nuclear power is technically complex, and particularly expensive.
PP/02/06 Major Impediments to Private Participation in Urban Transportation in Belarus (PDF/43Kb) [07/05/2006]
Babicki, D., von Cramon-Taubadel, S.
Private provision of urban transportation services plays an important role in satisfying customer demand for this kind of socially important service. Yet there are large number of artificially created impediments to further development of public participation, which are discussed in detail in the paper. Among all, this paper is based on the results of the survey of private providers, working in urban transportation, carried on by the German Economic Team in Belarus in September 2005. The paper provides some recommendations on how to foster private participation, including ensuring fair competition with public providers, abolishing superfluous technical requirements and restrictions, and eliminating abuse of the right to control and corruption.
PP/01/06 Distribution Channels in Export Promotion: Can the State Help? (PDF/48Kb) [18/04/2006]
Tochitskaya, I., Glambotskaya, A.
To successfully perform the Belarusian economy is highly dependent on the degree to which it is incorporated into world trade through export operations. However, Belarusian exports are concentrated in a limited number of destinations and goods, mostly related to the legacy from Soviet times. Therefore, the National Program of Export Promotion for 2006-2010 highlights the crucial needs both for export market diversification and for shifting the export specialization to knowledge-intensive and high-tech products as well as to new markets. This in turn raises the question of whether the state should provide assistance to promote exports, and, in particular, whether it should help to create distribution channels abroad.
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