MOSCOW, 28 June (BelTA) – Belarus' trade with Latin America has been growing steadily but still does not fully correspond to the real capabilities of the parties, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Shestakov said at the Belarus-Latin America Forum at the Business and Cultural Complex of the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow on 28 June, BelTA has learned.
"Despite the pandemic, which had an extremely negative impact on the global economy, Belarus' trade with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean has been growing steadily," Evgeny Shestakov stated. “In 2021, the trade between Belarus and the Latin American region amounted to $1,328.8 million, having increased by 5.9% over 2020. Belarusian exports to Latin American countries totaled $868.4 million, up by 24.2%. Belarus' major exports were products of the chemical industry, mechanical engineering and metallurgy.”
Evgeny Shestakov stressed that Belarus is interested not only in trade in goods, but also in the export of services. "Belarus is interested not only in expanding the commodity nomenclature but also in increasing the export of services: transport, computer, construction and mining," he said. “In 2021, the trade in services with Latin American countries rose to $200.2 million (58.3% as against 2020). Belarusian export reached $178.9 million (97.9%).”
"Nevertheless, the trade in goods and services, and the current level of trade and economic relations between Belarus and many Latin American countries do not fully correspond to the real capabilities of the parties," the deputy minister said. He expressed hope that this forum will help give a new, additional impetus to the development of cooperation and fill it with concrete mutually beneficial projects.
"We would like you to take advantage of this opportunity to establish direct contacts with Belarusian business, discuss the prospects for exchanging business visits and intensifying interaction making use of specialized agencies of our countries," Evgeny Shestakov said addressing the participants of the event.
Director of the Belarusian National Center for Marketing Nikolai Borisevich made a presentation of Belarus' trade and economic opportunities and proposals to Latin American partners. Belneftekhim Deputy Chairman Vladimir Sizov briefed the forum participants about the export potential of the Belarusian petrochemical industry. Anatoly Grinevich, deputy head of the Central Office for Foreign Economic Relations at the Industry Ministry, spoke about the capabilities of the Belarusian industrial sector. Kirill Yermolovich, head of marketing strategy, domestic sales and export at the Belpharmprom holding company, made a presentation of the Belarusian pharmaceutical industry.
The Belarus-Latin America Forum was organized by the National Center for Marketing jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.
