MINSK, 23 November (BelTA) – The Russian market accounts for 57% of Belarus' merchandise export, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Parkhomchik said at a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus on 23 November, BelTA has learned.
"As the head of state rightly said, the crisis is a time of challenges but it is also a time of opportunities. Indeed, the withdrawal and suspension of the activities by foreign companies in Russia have reopened the Russian market for literally all out industries," Petr Parkhomchik said.
According to him, in January-September of this year, Belarus' merchandise export to the Russian market increased by 34% year-on-year, or by $4 billion, while the share of the Russian market in Belarus' merchandise export increased from 41% to 57%.
"Export to Russia by enterprises affiliated with the Industry Ministry surged by 38%, Bellegprom ligh industry concern - by 18%, Bellesbumprom timber industry concern - by 53%, Belneftekhim petrochemical concern - by 55%," Piotr Parkhomchik said.
Belarus' merchandise export to China doubled and amounted to $1.3 billion in January-September of this year, Piotr Parkhomchik added.
