As announced today by the First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank, an International Monetary Fund mission is expected to arrive in Belarus, though the exact timing is not yet known. The visit is scheduled for the near future. Negotiations on conditions for further cooperation with the Fund are expected to continue. Besides, the National Bank does not rule out the possibility of reducing the refinancing rate before the end of the year.The refinancing rate in Belarus currently makes up 18% per annum.