Local Government and Self-Government
Citizens exercise local government and self-government powers through local councils of deputies, executive and administrative bodies, self-government bodies, referendum, assemblies, and other forms of direct participation in state and public affairs.
As for domestic policy, Belarus is pursuing an independent domestic policy based on the stability of the constitutional order, the guarantee of rights and freedom of citizens, the equality of all forms of property and social justice. The country pays a lot of attention to ensuring an integrated sustainable development of the regions, demographic security, environmental protection and rational use of natural resources.
In foreign policy Belarus places stake on openness and constructiveness, fidelity to principles and flexibility. The country proved its ability to establish a mutually beneficial dialogue and respond to modern challenges, which include human trafficking and protection of human rights.
Text 3
1. Read the text and identify the main features of the economy of the Republic of Belarus. What branches of Belarusian economy in your opinion are the most prospective? Why?
The structure of belarusian economy
The Republic of Belarus is an export-oriented state with a well-developed production sector, services sector and agriculture. Belarus adheres to the socially-oriented model of the market economy which has proven to be consistent and efficient.
In 2010-2018, the country’s GDP went up 17.5% in comparable prices, the growth of labor productivity in that period was 26.8%.
The GDP per capita, based on the purchasing power parity theory, increased from $16,900 in 2010 to $19,800 in 2018 in the republic.
In accordance with the UNDP 2018 Human Development Report, Belarus was ranked 53rd in terms of the human development index, with the highest coefficient among countries with high human development.
Main social and economic indicators
GDP,
Br
million (Br billion in 2011-2015)
|
Foreign
trade in goods, services,
$
billion
|
Industrial
output,
Br
million (Br billion in 2011-2015)
|
Agricultural
output (companies
of all kinds),
Br million (Br billion in 2011-2015)
|
In 2016, the Belarusian ruble was redenominated at a rate of 10,000:1.
Major branches of belarus economy
The major branches of the Belarusian economy include the manufacturing industry, agriculture, construction, trade, transport, information and communication technologies.
Manufacturing
In spite of the lack of fuel and energy resources and major raw materials and in spite of external economic shocks of recent years, Belarus has managed to preserve its industrial potential.
To a large extent, the development of the manufacturing industry is determined by major economic trends in the country. This branch accounts for a quarter of the gross domestic product, about 37% of capital assets are concentrated in this segment, 23.5% of Belarusians are employed in the manufacturing sector.
Belarus is placed 47th in the competitive industrial performance index rankings ahead of all CIS countries but for the Russian Federation.
The processing industry which accounted for 88.6% of the total manufacturing output in the country in 2018 is core of the Belarusian manufacturing sector.
Major industries are food industry (25.8% of the total industrial output), manufacture of oil products (17.6%) machine-building (16%), chemical production (10.8%).