MINSK, 7 February (BelTA) – The existing barriers to trade and economic exchange are the main disadvantage of the Eurasian Economic Union, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov told a press conference in Minsk on 7 February, BelTA has learned.
The EAEU member states sometimes put up such barriers to protect their industry or agriculture, the diplomat stressed.
In his opinion, Belarus as an export-oriented country should become the main initiator of removing barriers in the EAEU.
In 2017, every economic parameter in the EAEU posted an increase. In particular, trade between the union members saw a significant growth, Alexander Surikov remarked.
The EAEU Customs Code came into force on 1 January 2018, he recalled. “I cannot call it perfect. There is nothing perfect in the world. Everything can be improved, but this document is about setting common rules of the game in five countries. If need be, if business or other parties have any remarks, this document will be updated,” the ambassador noted.
He stated that the EAEU pays great attention to digital economy. “There are some issues remaining in place, certainly. We are slightly behind, but not that much. We are joining the global digital economy development. It is important to bear in mind, however, that the industrial image of all the countries should also be restored at least to the level they earlier had. They should be moving forward,” Alexander Surikov underlined.
