THE IMPACT OF EXTERNAL SHOCKS ON THE CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

Abstract

Background and Objective: Foreign economic flows reflected in the country’s balance of payments are an important factor in economic stability. At the same time, export and import flows of goods, services and incomes largely depend on external factors, such as closed borders, the existence of economic sanctions, financial interdependence between countries, etc. The purpose of the study is to assess the state of current operations of the balance of payments of the Republic of Belarus in the current conditions of foreign trade.
Materials and methods: The analysis is based on data of the National Statistical Committee and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus. Methods of analysis and synthesis are used; comparative, systemic and statistical analysis; method of generalizations; graphical and tabular method, etc.
Results: The components of the current account of the balance of payments of the Republic of Belarus for 2015–2021 are analyzed. The factors influencing the dynamics of exports of goods and services as well as primary and secondary incomes of Belarus for 2015–2021 are summarized. The impact of the pandemic and external sanctions in the short term on the dynamics of the country’s export–import flows is identified.
Practical implication: The results of the study can be used to improve the system of analysis, assess the country’s balance of payments; identify the interdependence of the country’s foreign economic activity on extraordinary external factors, to forecast the ability of the internal reserves of the economy to withstand the impact of external shocks both in the short and long term.
Conclusion and summary: The balance of payments of the Republic of Belarus is characterized mainly by a negative value for current transactions. The main reason is the negative balance of goods, which is partly reduced by active balance of services. The impact of external shocks in the form of border closures between countries and the existence of economic sanctions was offset in 2021 by a sharp recovery and the global economy growth. Growth in demand and prices in the world market for raw materials and food provided the country with a positive current account balance.