Barys Zhaliba: Fuel to go up several times by end of year

The Belarusian-Russian conflict has the greatest impact on ordinary Belarusians.

Economist Barys Zhaliba spoke to charter97.org about another increase in fuel prices this month.

“Costs would have risen even if there had been no potash war and restrictions in Russian oil supplies. Inflation is growing and fuel price will rise too. Petrol prices may increase several times by the end of the year. It shows the state of the Belarusian economy. The authorities cannot curb inflation so far. August was not bad, but the inflation rate is seasonal. It will grow by the end of the year, which we are already noticing,” the expert said.

The economist thinks Russian sanctions had an indirect impact on the rise of petrol prices.

“Igor Sechin and German Gref's latest visit to Belarus shows that the parties are not interested in conflict. I think the situation will improve a little, but the permanent crisis will go on. The acute phase is not over. Sechin said the volumes that we wouldn't get through the pipeline would be delivered by rail. But it's far more expensive. It is probably another indirect sign of a further increase in fuel prices. Another Belarusian-Russian conflict had the greatest impact on ordinary Belarusians,” Barys Zhaliba said.

We remind that prices of oil products went up 8% today. It has been the second increase in fuel prices in September.