MINSK, 2 June (BelTA) – In Q1 exports of Minsk Oblast companies were up 25.2% from the same period in 2010 and totaled more than $1.4 billion, BelTA learnt from the economy committee of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee. Minsk Oblast’s foreign trade totaled $2.3 billion (up 34.3% from January-March 2010). Imports came to $846.9 million (up 53.1%). Minsk Oblast had a foreign trade surplus of $577.2 million. The region was involved in foreign trade operations with 135 countries around the world. Products were shipped to 99 states, imports came from 117 countries. The main trading partners were Russia (33% of total trade), Brazil (14.9%), China (5%), Germany (4.7%), Poland (4.2%), Ukraine (4%), Vietnam (2.3%), Indonesia (1.8%), Bangladesh (1.6%) and Norway (1.5%). Russia accounted for 34.2% of exports and 31.1% of imports. Foreign trade with that country was up by 55.7% to $749.3 million, including export by 43.1%. Minsk Oblast had a surplus of $223.3 million in trade with Russia. The European Union is also considered the strategic partner in foreign trade of Minsk Oblast. The share of the EU amounted to 13.2% of exports and 32.6% of imports. Minsk Oblast conducted foreign trade transactions with 27 EU countries. Cooperation with Poland, Germany, Belgium and Lithuania has been most vibrant. Exports to Greece increased by 60%, to Latvia by 57.4%, Lithuania by 44.2% and Germany by 18%. Exports to Finland increased most dramatically (165 times), Romania (38 times) and Bulgaria (14 times). The priorities of the Minsk Oblast’s foreign economic activity include further advancement to the markets of China, Brazil, Venezuela and to nontraditional markets in Africa, Asia and Oceania. In January-March Minsk Oblast exported heavily to Sudan, Pakistan, India and Ecuador. Minsk Oblast has also expanded into the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Benin, Myanmar, others. The main exports included chemical products (55.8% of the total), potash fertilizers (54.1%), transport vehicles (13.7%), animal products (9.3%), machinery and equipment (4.5). Import embraces machinery and equipment (26.5%), chemical products (15.3%), basic metals and products made of them (13.9%), food (12.9%), plastic and products made of it (6.9%). More than half of the oblast export is provided by oblast’s seven largest producers. These are Belaruskali, Belarusian Autoworks, Barisov’based Avtogidrousilitel and the Plant of Automotive Electric Equipment, Molodechno Steel Works, Gorodeya Sugary and Slutsk Creamery. БЕЛТА
Written by belta.by
