MINSK, 17 February (BelTA) - Chairwoman of the National Statistical Committee (Belstat) Inna Medvedeva reported on the trends that prevailed in the economy at the end of last year and in January of the current year during the government’s report to the president on its performance in 2025, BelTA has learned.
Competitiveness of the products manufactured is the key to a balanced and efficient economy, Inna Medvedeva noted. Nevertheless, the results of the past year and January of the current year indicate a number of negative factors. “The outcomes of 2025 and the beginning of this year have demonstrated an increase in negative trends in the economy, primarily caused by a decline in the competitiveness of organizations,” Inna Medvedeva stated.
According to her, the export targets were not met for all countries, although all these issues were discussed in detail at a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions. As a result, due to the outpacing growth of imports, the trade deficit increased and amounted to approximately $7 billion.
Inna Medvedeva noted that some enterprises are facing sales problems not only in the foreign market but also in the domestic market. For a number of items, the government target to increase the share of domestic goods in retail was not met.
The head of Belstat drew attention to the decline in industrial output last year and its acceleration in January of this year. "The worst results were shown by enterprises affiliated with the Industry Ministry. In 2025, more than 60% of them reported a decline in production. Even with low output volumes, products do not sell and are sent to warehouses,” Inna Medvedeva stated.
Problems also persist at enterprises of the Bellegprom light industry concern. In just the last three years, the share of domestically produced light industry goods in retail has halved.
Calibrated efforts to modernize the existing production facilities and open new innovatively active enterprises may solve these problems in industry, Inna Medvedeva believes.
Inna Medvedeva noted that the growth in fixed capital investments of industrial enterprises under national subordination at the end of last year has not yet offset the negative trend of 2024.
Competitiveness of the products manufactured is the key to a balanced and efficient economy, Inna Medvedeva noted. Nevertheless, the results of the past year and January of the current year indicate a number of negative factors. “The outcomes of 2025 and the beginning of this year have demonstrated an increase in negative trends in the economy, primarily caused by a decline in the competitiveness of organizations,” Inna Medvedeva stated.
According to her, the export targets were not met for all countries, although all these issues were discussed in detail at a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions. As a result, due to the outpacing growth of imports, the trade deficit increased and amounted to approximately $7 billion.
Inna Medvedeva noted that some enterprises are facing sales problems not only in the foreign market but also in the domestic market. For a number of items, the government target to increase the share of domestic goods in retail was not met.
The head of Belstat drew attention to the decline in industrial output last year and its acceleration in January of this year. "The worst results were shown by enterprises affiliated with the Industry Ministry. In 2025, more than 60% of them reported a decline in production. Even with low output volumes, products do not sell and are sent to warehouses,” Inna Medvedeva stated.
Problems also persist at enterprises of the Bellegprom light industry concern. In just the last three years, the share of domestically produced light industry goods in retail has halved.
Calibrated efforts to modernize the existing production facilities and open new innovatively active enterprises may solve these problems in industry, Inna Medvedeva believes.
Inna Medvedeva noted that the growth in fixed capital investments of industrial enterprises under national subordination at the end of last year has not yet offset the negative trend of 2024.
“Decreasing volumes of working capital are forcing enterprises to take out more loans for these purposes and turn to the budget,” the head of Belstat added.
Regarding the agricultural sector, Inna Medvedeva stated that in addition to numerous cases of cattle loss, losses were also recorded in other areas, including poultry farming. This negative trend was reversed in the final month of the year. “Shrinking livestock numbers have a negative impact on meeting domestic demand, prompting a surge in imports to fill the gap,” the head of Belstat noted.
Regarding the agricultural sector, Inna Medvedeva stated that in addition to numerous cases of cattle loss, losses were also recorded in other areas, including poultry farming. This negative trend was reversed in the final month of the year. “Shrinking livestock numbers have a negative impact on meeting domestic demand, prompting a surge in imports to fill the gap,” the head of Belstat noted.
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