MINSK, 16 August (BelTA) – Any restrictions mean new opportunities for domestic industries and import substitution efforts, Natalya Melnikova, Head of the Trade and Public Catering Department at the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) of Belarus, told the media while commenting on the state of the Belarusian economy in the wake of the restrictions imposed by Western countries and the situation with supply and demand in the domestic market, BelTA has learned.
“In H1 2024, we saw an increase in the manufacturing of both food and non-food products. Belarus' GDP rose by 5% in January-June 2024. Retail surged by 11.5%, agricultural production – by over 10%, industrial output – by over 7%. Thus, we can see that the supply exceeds the demand in the domestic market,” Natalya Melnikova pointed out.
Belarus is actively implementing import substitution programs. Natalya Melnikova noted that the greenhouse farming strategy has been successful. Due to it the country is fully supplied with cucumbers and partially with tomatoes in the off-season period. According to her, the sale of cucumbers in Belarus ballooned by 22% in H1.
However, food production is not the only field of development. Sales of non-food products have been gaining momentum. For example, sales of household appliances and lumber rose by over 15%.
“We can say with confidence that any sanctions imposed against the state eventually result in the growth of domestic industrial output. This is a new round in the development of national industry, launch of new capacities and development of the existing ones,” Natalya Melnikova noted.
The specialist emphasized that import substitution programs are also being developed in the regions. Regions send MART their proposals based on which MART determines the lists of goods for the further development. The list is posted on the MART website and currently includes 367 items.
Within the framework of the import substitution programs, the country has already expanded the range of fruits and vegetables produced in the country. The range of cheeses has been also expanded. Nowadays, Belarus manufactures more than 400 kinds of cheese. Blue cheese is among new positions. More than 30 projects in the confectionery industry have already been launched.
“So, sanctions do provide an additional impetus for domestic industries,” Natalya Melnikova summarized.
“In H1 2024, we saw an increase in the manufacturing of both food and non-food products. Belarus' GDP rose by 5% in January-June 2024. Retail surged by 11.5%, agricultural production – by over 10%, industrial output – by over 7%. Thus, we can see that the supply exceeds the demand in the domestic market,” Natalya Melnikova pointed out.
Belarus is actively implementing import substitution programs. Natalya Melnikova noted that the greenhouse farming strategy has been successful. Due to it the country is fully supplied with cucumbers and partially with tomatoes in the off-season period. According to her, the sale of cucumbers in Belarus ballooned by 22% in H1.
However, food production is not the only field of development. Sales of non-food products have been gaining momentum. For example, sales of household appliances and lumber rose by over 15%.
“We can say with confidence that any sanctions imposed against the state eventually result in the growth of domestic industrial output. This is a new round in the development of national industry, launch of new capacities and development of the existing ones,” Natalya Melnikova noted.
The specialist emphasized that import substitution programs are also being developed in the regions. Regions send MART their proposals based on which MART determines the lists of goods for the further development. The list is posted on the MART website and currently includes 367 items.
Within the framework of the import substitution programs, the country has already expanded the range of fruits and vegetables produced in the country. The range of cheeses has been also expanded. Nowadays, Belarus manufactures more than 400 kinds of cheese. Blue cheese is among new positions. More than 30 projects in the confectionery industry have already been launched.
“So, sanctions do provide an additional impetus for domestic industries,” Natalya Melnikova summarized.
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