Enterprises-residents of the FEZ "Vitebsk" increased exports of goods by almost 44% in January-June

July 28, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. Resident enterprises of FEZ "Vitebsk" in January-June increased their exports by almost 44% compared to the same period in 2009, to $60.5 million, the FEZ administration informed a BELTA correspondent. The main volume of exports (over 90%) falls on CIS countries, with Russia's share in the total export volume exceeding 80%. Based on the results of foreign trade activities of FEZ "Vitebsk" for January-June, a positive balance of $5.3 million was formed (excluding oil and petroleum products - $6.9 million). The import volume decreased by 1.9% compared to the same period last year and amounted to $55.2 million. FEZ residents attracted foreign investment worth about $13.3 million, including $10.9 million in direct investment. The main share of direct investment (about 80%) was the reinvestment of profits by foreign investors in the development of existing production facilities. Based on the results of the half-year, FEZ residents used Br32.6 billion in investments, of which almost 87% (Br28.2 billion) were directed to fixed assets. Taking into account the allocation of funds from the republican budget for the development of the infrastructure of FEZ "Vitebsk", the total volume of invested funds in fixed assets amounted to Br30.3 billion. In January-June, resident enterprises increased their output at comparable prices by 17.5% (excluding enterprises of republican subordination) compared to the same period last year. A total of over Br300 billion worth of products were produced, with the main share falling on machine-building and metalworking products (43% of the total output), as well as light industry (26.4%). Revenue from the sale of products (works, services) amounted to Br357.3 billion. The net profit of residents exceeded Br4.7 billion, and Br42.1 billion in taxes, fees, and other payments were transferred to the budget and extra-budgetary funds. FEZ "Vitebsk" was established in August 1999. Currently, there are 37 residents in the FEZ, of which four resident enterprises were registered in June 2010. The industrial potential of the FEZ is based on enterprises operating in the fields of machine building, woodworking, food, chemical, fuel, and light industries. The territory of the free economic zone includes seven sectors with a total area of over 1.2 thousand hectares.