Enterprises-residents of FEZ "Vitebsk" increased exports of goods by 21% in January-March

May 5, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. Exports of goods by resident enterprises of the FEZ "Vitebsk" in January-March increased by almost 21% compared to the same period in 2010 and amounted to $36.6 million, the FEZ administration informed a BELTA correspondent. The main volume of export deliveries (more than 95%) falls on the CIS countries, with Russia's share in the total export volume exceeding 80%. In addition, this year residents carried out foreign trade operations with partners from Germany, the USA, Austria, as well as Lithuania and Latvia. Raw materials, materials and components were imported for $31.2 million, which is 5.1% more than in the first quarter of 2010. Based on the results of foreign trade activities of the FEZ "Vitebsk" in the first quarter, a positive balance of $5.4 million was formed. FEZ residents attracted foreign investment in the amount of about $11 million, including $7.1 million of direct investment. In the structure of direct investment, almost 72% falls on the reinvestment of profits of foreign investors in the development of existing industries. The volume of industrial production at resident enterprises amounted to Br220 billion and increased by 41.6% compared to the same period in 2010 (excluding enterprises of republican subordination, the increase was almost 60%). About 50% of the total production volume was import-substituting products; a total of 14 resident enterprises of the FEZ "Vitebsk" are included in the import substitution program. Revenue from the sale of products (works, services) amounted to Br222.6 billion. Residents received a net profit of Br11.4 billion, and Br17 billion in taxes, fees and payments were transferred to the budget and extra-budgetary funds. In the first quarter of the year, more than 140 jobs were created at resident enterprises, and their total number as of April 1 exceeded 8.6 thousand units. The FEZ "Vitebsk" was established in August 1999. Today, 38 investment projects are being implemented in the FEZ. More than 60% of the FEZ "Vitebsk" residents are joint and foreign enterprises, created with the participation of investors from 13 countries, including Germany, Poland, the USA, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Russia, Canada, Holland and Israel. The industrial potential of the FEZ is based on enterprises operating in the fields of mechanical engineering, woodworking, food, chemical, fuel and light industries. The territory of the free economic zone includes 12 sectors with a total area of more than 2.1 thousand hectares, which are located within the city limits of Vitebsk, Postavy, Orsha, Barani, the urban-type settlement Bolbasovo (Orshansky district), as well as in the Vitebsk region.-0-