Trade turnover between Belarus and Russia in 2011 may exceed the pre-crisis level of 2008 - V. Putin

August 15, Moscow /Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA/. Belarus and Russia have the necessary potential to significantly increase trade turnover and exceed the pre-crisis level of 2008 in 2011. This was stated today by Chairman of the Government of Russia Vladimir Putin during a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich within the framework of the Union State Council of Ministers meeting, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

Analyzing the dynamics of trade turnover between the countries, Vladimir Putin gave a generally positive assessment of the situation. In 2010, trade turnover between the countries showed growth. In January-June of the current year, this growth continued, and trade turnover reached $17.6 billion. According to the Chairman of the Russian Government, if such dynamics and pace are maintained, there are all prerequisites for the countries to exceed the pre-crisis 2008 trade turnover figures.

Vladimir Putin also added that the integration of Belarus and Russia within the Union State is yielding results, while at the same time there are issues that require additional attention. He recalled that 16 issues, worked out at the expert level, are to be discussed at today's meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers.

In turn, Mikhail Myasnikovich noted that two main groups of issues will be considered during the upcoming meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister of Belarus added that Belarus and Russia will review specific intermediate results of integration to give new impetus to the development of cooperation. According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, the fact that the countries have planned new joint scientific and technical programs and innovative projects indicates a new quality of Belarusian-Russian interaction.

Russia is Belarus's main trading partner. In 2010, Russia accounted for 46.6% of Belarus's total foreign trade volume. Our country also acts as one of the main trading partners of the Russian Federation and, according to the results of 2010, ranks sixth in Russia's foreign trade turnover after China, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Ukraine.

The trade turnover between Belarus and the Russian Federation in 2010 reached $28.03 billion, or 118.9% compared to the 2009 level. Exports amounted to $9.95 billion (148.2%), imports - $18.08 billion (108.1%). The foreign trade balance for Belarus in 2010 was negative, amounting to $8.1 billion.

The trade turnover between Belarus and the Russian Federation in January-June 2011 amounted to $17.6 billion, or 141.2% compared to the January-June 2010 level. Exports amounted to $6.3 billion (143%), imports - $11.3 billion (140.2%). The foreign trade balance for Belarus was negative, amounting to about $5 billion.

In January-June 2011, Russia accounted for 43.2% of the total volume of Belarus's foreign trade. The commodity structure of exports and imports in trade between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation underwent certain changes during the reporting period. Belarus mainly exports milk and dairy products, meat and meat products, trucks, tractors and semi-trailers, crop harvesting machinery, tires, furniture and parts thereof, parts and equipment for cars and tractors, carbon steel bars, and imports oil, natural gas, petroleum products, ferrous metal waste and scrap, steel rolled products, fertilizers, internal combustion engines, ferrous metal pipes and tubes, electricity, synthetic rubber. In the first half of 2011, exports to Russia were carried out for 1048 types of Belarusian goods, compared to 909 types in the first half of 2010.-0-