A mission of the International Monetary Fund /IMF/ will continue its work in Minsk, BelTA learnt from the IMF Office in Belarus. The IMF mission arrived in Belarus to negotiate the loan terms with the Belarusian authorities.

A reminder, a mission of the International Monetary Fund started its work in Belarus on October 27 and it was expected to finish its work on November 6. The mission is headed by Neven Mates, head of the IMF Office in Belarus.

Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF Managing Director, issued a statement in response to the request from the Republic of Belarus to provide financial assistance. The amount of the financing under a Stand-By Arrangement has yet to be determined.

The Government and the National Bank have sent a standard request for $2 billion in a stand-by arrangement for replenishing gold and forex reserves. The Republic of Belarus joined the IMF in 1992.