Roman Golovchenko
MINSK, 15 March (BelTA) – The countermeasures Belarus has implemented in response to Lithuania’s unfriendly actions are unlikely to affect the Belarusian economy and Belarusian consumers, BelTA learned from Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko.
Belarus took steps in response to Lithuania’s closing two border crossings. Roman Golovchenko said: “I am talking about two government resolutions that introduce prohibitions. The first one affects products from Lithuania. Primarily foods. We used to import about $5-6 million worth of these goods per annum. It is not much. I am convinced that the prohibition will not affect our economy and the consumer market. And those, who cannot do without Lithuanian chocolate bars, do not have to suffer. Prohibitions in both resolutions do not apply to natural persons and personal-use goods.”
The second government resolution introduces restrictions on merchandise shipments in industrial lots. “Belarus imported about 60,000 tonnes of them worth about $150 million in 2023. But it doesn’t mean these goods will not reach Belarus. They will have to travel via another logistic route: via Latvia, Poland. The prohibition applies only to the Belarusian-Lithuanian section of the border,” the prime minister noted.
“The decision on the retaliatory measures is absolutely balanced and well-calculated. It had been prepared by groups of experts. Neither people nor the market will feel a thing,” the head of government stressed.
BelTA reported earlier that the government has expanded the list of commodities, which cannot be imported and sold in Belarus’ territory. The relevant amendments have been added to the Council of Ministers’ resolution No.700 of 6 December 2021. In particular, this list now includes individual goods originating from Lithuania: condensed milk and cream, fruits and nuts, coffee, fruit juices, water, vinegar, pantyhose, stockings, socks and other hosiery goods, certain civil engineering products, refrigerators, and freezers.
The Belarus government has also forbidden the import of individual goods across the Belarusian-Lithuanian section of the border. The following commodities cannot be imported for sale and consumption in Belarus’ territory: water, beer, wine, grape must, vermouth, other fermented beverages, ethyl alcohol, vinegar, pneumatic rubber tire tubes and tires, clothing and other used articles as well as used parts and accessories of transport vehicles.
