MINSK, 28 July (BelTA) – Belarus exported $637 million worth of construction goods and services in H1 2021, BelTA learned from Belarusian First Deputy Architecture and Construction Minister Igor Kostyukov at a press conference held on 28 July to discuss development prospects of the national civil engineering industry ahead of Builder's Day.
According to the source, considerable efforts are being poured into increasing the export potential, into enabling export of construction materials, engineering and construction services. Tight cooperation has been established with certain regions of Russia, primarily Kaluga Oblast, Voronezh Oblast, Pskov Oblast, and Leningrad Oblast. Acceptable procedures have been worked out to allow Belarusian construction companies to build social facilities in Russia. The volume of export of the goods and services totaled $637 million in H1 2021.
Igor Kostyukov noted that the coronavirus pandemic had had a serious impact on the industry and on export figures but ways out of the situation had been worked out. Belarusian construction workers work abroad on a rotational basis. Taking into account problems with delivering personnel to foreign construction sites the people have agreed to extend their duty tours to two months and to three months in some regions. Local personnel are also hired for some work. The completion of some contracts has been delayed due to pandemic-related restrictions. There are difficulties but they are being dealt with, the official said.
The export of construction goods amounted to $400 million of the total figure. The top goods that sell well abroad are cement, granite broken stone, and ceramic tiles. These goods are shipped to more than 60 countries across the globe. Russia is the main trade partner.
Over 500 enterprises make construction materials and structures in Belarus. They make virtually all the materials the civil engineering industry needs. Apart from that, 40% of the total output of industrial goods is exported, the first deputy architecture and construction minister said.
