MINSK, 18 March (BelTA) – In physical volumes Belarusian exports increased by almost 13% in January, Belarusian First Deputy Economy Minister Andrei Kartun told the media, BelTA has learned.
"As for foreign trade, the growth rate of export of goods and services is not yet gaining the desired momentum. It is about 1%. Nevertheless, we have secured a surplus of almost $100 million. The main drivers of export growth were consumer goods and the so-called intermediate goods. We continue to maintain high export rates in terms of physical volumes. An increase was almost 13%, which made it possible to compensate for the decline in export prices (they went down by more than 9%). We expect that closer to the end of the first half of the year, the cost factor will cease to affect our indicators and the growth rate will pick up with the physical volumes of the export remaining the same," Andrei Kartun said.
According to the Economy Ministry, the Belarusian export to Asian countries, including China, as well as to African countries, have increased significantly.
"As for foreign trade, the growth rate of export of goods and services is not yet gaining the desired momentum. It is about 1%. Nevertheless, we have secured a surplus of almost $100 million. The main drivers of export growth were consumer goods and the so-called intermediate goods. We continue to maintain high export rates in terms of physical volumes. An increase was almost 13%, which made it possible to compensate for the decline in export prices (they went down by more than 9%). We expect that closer to the end of the first half of the year, the cost factor will cease to affect our indicators and the growth rate will pick up with the physical volumes of the export remaining the same," Andrei Kartun said.
According to the Economy Ministry, the Belarusian export to Asian countries, including China, as well as to African countries, have increased significantly.
