Belarus has received a $200 million loan from the World Bank for the purposes of development, a spokesman for the Belarusian National Bank said on Tuesday.

The loan will be disbursed for 16 years with a grace period of six years.

"The loan is granted to support the government's economic program aimed at eliminating the social consequences of the [financial] crisis and deepening structural reforms that provide a basis for the resumption of sustainable economic growth," the spokesman said.

The World Bank's strategy of cooperation with Belarus envisages an increase in financial aid to the ex-Soviet republic from $100 million to $250 million annually in 2010-2011.

The IMF allocated Belarus its first tranche of $800 million in January, the second tranche of $680 million to the ex-Soviet state was received in July. Minsk received $699.5 million in October.

MINSK, December 22 (RIA Novosti)