MINSK, 16 September (BelTA) – By closing the border, Poland effectively shut down its own businesses and the movement of goods, Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Vladimir Orlovsky said in an interview with the the First News TV Channel, BelTA has learned.
Highlighting the importance of the Polish route for the economy, Vladimir Orlovsky recalled that five-six years ago, 80% of cargo entering and leaving Belarus passed through the western section of the border, while only 20% went through the eastern one.
“Now the situation has completely changed. About 82% of cargo goes through the eastern border and 18% through the western. This means that all our enterprises and businesses have adapted to the new situation. Exports are now going eastward, and imports, especially raw materials and components, are coming from the east too. We have overcome these challenges, and the customs service has adapted its technologies. The road for business cannot be blocked. If one route is closed, others will be found. Unfortunately, the checkpoints are closed, the border with Poland is closed. But business will adapt. And who has been harmed? We analyzed traffic across our border with the EU: Poland accounts for 64% of all exports and imports. Polish imports to the west are 64%, and their exports are the same. By closing the border, they have shut down their own businesses and goods movement,” the chairman stressed.
He also underlined that Belarus remains an important logistics hub for other countries.
“They have harmed not only themselves, but also other states that have nothing to do with this situation,” Vladimir Orlovsky emphasized.
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