The possibility of raising utility prices this year is under consideration, Belarus' Deputy Housing Maintenance and Utilities Minister Sergei Sushko said at a press conference in Minsk on September 20. He said, at present Belarusian households pay 34% of the utility costs. The figure was supposed to be raised up to 41% in 2007, however, the government was unable to do it in view of skyrocketing prices for imported energy. Sergei Sushko did not specify the date and size of the possible increase, but just remarked that the Economy Ministry is working on it. In his opinion, a sharp increase is not an option. As tariffs are set, regulators take into account the level of people’s reimbursement for utilities and how much they can pay. The Economy Ministry is now calculating a possible increase that will keep the balance intact. Speaking about next year’s tariffs, Sergei Sushko said, the decision should be made by December 1, 2007. nAccording to the Ministry, utility payment arrears of individuals stand at around Br40 billion, with Minsk’s share as large as some Br7 billion. The Housing Maintenance and Utilities Ministry and the Justice Ministry have put together instruments to exact debts and improve the general situation on the whole, said the official.