MINSK, 26 January (BelTA) - Trade between Belarus and Turkmenistan has shrunk two times, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Mikhail Myasnikovich said at a meeting to discuss the development of trade and economic ties with Turkmenistan, BelTA has learned.
"The situation does not hold up against criticism. There is no need citing difficulties. It has never been easy. Vice Premier Anatoly Kalinin and I decided to inform the President about the poor performance of some executives. The trade went down two times, despite the fact that all the conditions were created at the political level, at the level of the heads of state everything,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.
For his part, Vice Premier Anatoly Kalinin said that in 2015 exports of goods and services to Turkmenistan amounted to $193.5 million as against $256 million in 2014. The export of services rose by 44% last year while the merchandise export decreased, said the Vice Premier. In 2015 the lineup of Belarusian exports expanded by 83 commodities. "However the commodity diversification has not made up for the losses made by major exporters: the companies affiliated with the Industry Ministry and the Architecture and Construction Ministry," said Anatoly Kalinin.
"The surplus is in our favor but it is not the reason to be happy about," he added. The deterioration in the economic situation in Turkmenistan, which is caused by falling prices for hydrocarbons and devaluation, cannot justify the fall in the Belarusian export. However, the Vice Premier spoke positively about Bellegprom Concern which increased exports to Turkmenistan 1.6 times up to $540,000.
The Vice Premier criticized Belarusian construction companies for their inactivity in the Turkmenistan market. He drew attention to the fact that not so long ago, Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in the presence of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko that the Turkmen side was pleased with the quality of work of construction companies and that the country was waiting them at other facilities after the work on Garlyk ore-processing plant was completed. "All construction works are slated for completion in H1 2016. What are our plans?” Anatoly Kalinin asked.
In 2016 Turkmenistan plans to invest $7 billion in construction of industrial and social facilities. All in all, the country intends to invest $35 billion over five years. "In addition to the Construction and Architecture Ministry we should have our energy companies there. But so far I do not see any interest on their part,” Anatoly Kalinin added.
