Below the surface of strong recent growth, favorable external conditions, and high export prices, Belarus' competitiveness and export sustainability have gradually eroded. This erosion is evident in a number of areas of trade performance. First, in a small open economy crucially dependent on...

Industrial performance in Belarus remained strong in 2005-08. Industrial productivity growth was broad based, driven by within-firm-improvements of the existing industrial enterprises rather than by new entry.However, below the surface, there are a number of warning signs regarding the quality...

This chapter takes stock of growth trends in Belarusian economy since 1996, reviews the evidence of accumulated challenges and risks within the existing growth patterns, and provides policy recommendations aimed at strengthening growth sustainability. In sum, while economic growth in Belarus in...