Almost 70% of the Vitebsk region's foreign trade turnover falls to Russia

The volume of foreign trade in goods with the neighboring country last year in the Vitebsk region reached $2.7 billion, and in January of the current year – $212.2 million. In 2016, Russia accounted for 68.1% of the region's foreign trade turnover, 60.4% of the total export volume, and 73.4% of imports.

According to the data of the main statistical department of the region, we mainly supply consumer goods (48.1%) to the Russian Federation, but also a significant amount of goods used for further production of goods and services. A quarter of the export value is accounted for by meat and dairy products; the share of light and chemical industry goods is also large. A significant portion of carpets and tufted floor coverings, footwear, plastic containers, and ethylene polymers supplied to the foreign market are shipped to Russia.

The key import item for our region is energy resources. In 2016, crude oil and petroleum products accounted for 75.4% of this import. Additionally, we import significant volumes of liquefied gas, aluminum wire, and acyclic hydrocarbons.

According to the main statistical department of the region, last year the Vitebsk region carried out export-import operations with 75 regions of Russia, and in January 2017, cooperation continued with 68 of them. The highest level of interaction is with the Ural and Central Federal Districts, which account for 77.1% of the total trade turnover.

LILIYA IVCHENKO, photos by Dmitry Osipov, "Vitebskiye vesti".