Crisis Forces Belarus to Ease Exchange Rules

Belarus’ central bank raised its benchmark-refinancing rate for the third time this year and abolished restrictions on commercial banks’ currency sales to households to help steady the foreign-exchange market. The refinancing rate will increase to 14 percent from 13 percent, effective from May 18, the regulator said on its web site Wednesday. Lifting currency controls is part of a plan to move toward a single exchange rate and stabilize the domestic currency […]