MINSK, 22 July (BelTA) – The Industry Ministry is planning to increase export, at the level of last year's record high of $6.5 billion, Industry Minister Aleksandr Yefimov said at a meeting chaired by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to discuss the development of the Belarusian manufacturing industry, BelTA has learned.
The industry minister reported on the areas of development of the Belarusian manufacturing sector industry, the problems and proposals for their solution.
According to him, over the past few years, the manufacturing sector has met all the key performance targets. Thus, from 2021 to 2023, despite the growing external pressure from unfriendly countries, the Industry Ministry met all the targets of the current five-year plan. Over the three years of the five-year plan, industrial output rose by 39.8%, well above the target of 24.6%. Exports surged by 68.1% (the growth target was 36.3%). The manufacturing sector operates steadily. In 2023, exports totaled $6.5 billion, which was a record high for Belarus in the past 10 years.
“This year, we plan to ensure export growth at the level of last year’s,” the minister said.
For example, the sale of passenger cars increased 2.3 times in 2023 over 2021, that of TV sets – by 2 .8 times, washing machines - 1.4 times, trucks - 1.2 times, dump trucks, elevators and finished steel - 1.1 times.
In H1 2024, the enterprises affiliated with the Industry Ministry reported growth of 4.1%, or Br15.8 billion. Exports came at $3.2 billion, the production of import-substituting goods amounted to $3 billion with a growth rate of 7.1%. The share of shipped innovative products in the total volume of manufactured products reached 41.9%, investments in fixed assets amounted to Br600 million, up by 51.3%. In January-May of this year, the monthly salary averaged Br2384, which accounted for 112.5% of the national average.
Under the conservative scenario, the Industry Ministry forecasts the output in excess of more than Br31.6 billion. It also projects a 2.5% increase in export. "These are the minimum figures," Aleksandr Yefimov noted. "There are certain reserves, and the Industry Ministry, together with the industrial enterprises, will tap into the reserves in order to further improve these indicators."
According to him, in the coming years, the work will be aimed at not only maintaining exports to the Russian Federation, but also increasing exports to distant countries while maintaining a share in Russia. "By 2030, we plan to direct 30% of all exports to the geographically distant countries," the minister said.
The industry minister reported on the areas of development of the Belarusian manufacturing sector industry, the problems and proposals for their solution.
According to him, over the past few years, the manufacturing sector has met all the key performance targets. Thus, from 2021 to 2023, despite the growing external pressure from unfriendly countries, the Industry Ministry met all the targets of the current five-year plan. Over the three years of the five-year plan, industrial output rose by 39.8%, well above the target of 24.6%. Exports surged by 68.1% (the growth target was 36.3%). The manufacturing sector operates steadily. In 2023, exports totaled $6.5 billion, which was a record high for Belarus in the past 10 years.
“This year, we plan to ensure export growth at the level of last year’s,” the minister said.
For example, the sale of passenger cars increased 2.3 times in 2023 over 2021, that of TV sets – by 2 .8 times, washing machines - 1.4 times, trucks - 1.2 times, dump trucks, elevators and finished steel - 1.1 times.
In H1 2024, the enterprises affiliated with the Industry Ministry reported growth of 4.1%, or Br15.8 billion. Exports came at $3.2 billion, the production of import-substituting goods amounted to $3 billion with a growth rate of 7.1%. The share of shipped innovative products in the total volume of manufactured products reached 41.9%, investments in fixed assets amounted to Br600 million, up by 51.3%. In January-May of this year, the monthly salary averaged Br2384, which accounted for 112.5% of the national average.
Under the conservative scenario, the Industry Ministry forecasts the output in excess of more than Br31.6 billion. It also projects a 2.5% increase in export. "These are the minimum figures," Aleksandr Yefimov noted. "There are certain reserves, and the Industry Ministry, together with the industrial enterprises, will tap into the reserves in order to further improve these indicators."
According to him, in the coming years, the work will be aimed at not only maintaining exports to the Russian Federation, but also increasing exports to distant countries while maintaining a share in Russia. "By 2030, we plan to direct 30% of all exports to the geographically distant countries," the minister said.
Among the key countries in Central and South America, he named Venezuela, Cuba, Argentina, Nicaragua, Colombia, Brazil. In Africa these are Egypt, Nigeria, Togo, Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Zimbabwe; in Asia - Pakistan, India, Vietnam, Mongolia, Iran, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and China.
"In January-May of this year, we have a positive trend in exports to distant countries. The increase was as high as 34.4%," Aleksandr Yefimov said.
He explained that the current development of the manufacturing sector is ensured through investment, innovation and import-substituting activities, improving the quality of products and maintaining their competitiveness. The emphasis is on high-tech sectors: microelectronics, instrumentation, metallurgy, electric transport, automotive, passenger, agricultural, construction, forestry equipment and, most importantly, the component base for all products. In 2021-2023, more than 900 models of new equipment have already been developed.
"In January-May of this year, we have a positive trend in exports to distant countries. The increase was as high as 34.4%," Aleksandr Yefimov said.
He explained that the current development of the manufacturing sector is ensured through investment, innovation and import-substituting activities, improving the quality of products and maintaining their competitiveness. The emphasis is on high-tech sectors: microelectronics, instrumentation, metallurgy, electric transport, automotive, passenger, agricultural, construction, forestry equipment and, most importantly, the component base for all products. In 2021-2023, more than 900 models of new equipment have already been developed.
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