In the first quarter, Belarus increased the volume of foreign trade in goods by 17.1% to $11.776 billion.

May 3, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. In the first quarter of this year, Belarus increased its foreign trade in goods by 17.1% compared to the same period in 2009, to more than $11.776 billion, BELTA was informed by the National Statistical Committee. At the same time, exports of goods over three months increased by 29.2% to $5.269 billion, and imports by 8.9% to $6.506 billion. The balance of foreign trade in goods was negative, amounting to $1.236 billion (in January-March 2009, the negative balance was $1.896 billion). For reference, at the end of last year, there was a decline in foreign trade turnover. The volume of foreign trade in goods of Belarus in 2009 amounted to $49.846 billion, or 69.3% of the 2008 level. In particular, exports decreased to $21.282 billion (65.3% of the 2008 level), and imports to $28.564 billion (72.5%). Trade with CIS countries in January-March 2010 increased by 20% compared to the same period last year, to $6.674 billion. Exports amounted to $2.659 billion (an increase of 48.7%), and imports - $4.015 billion (an increase of 6.4%). In particular, trade between Belarus and Russia increased by 17.4% to $5.656 billion. Exports to Russia amounted to $2.027 billion (an increase of 48.9%), and imports from Russia - $3.629 billion (an increase of 5%). In the first quarter, trade with Kazakhstan reached $106.7 million, an increase of 40.6% compared to the same period last year. Exports increased by 56.5% to $91.8 million, while imports decreased by 13.5% to $14.9 million. -0-