The foreign exchange earnings of Belarusian enterprises increased by 61.6% in the first half of the year.

July 22, Minsk /Corr. BELTA/. In January-June 2011, Belarus received approximately $20.9 billion in foreign currency equivalent, which is 61.6% higher than the same period last year, according to preliminary data. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the information department of the National Bank.

Revenue from goods exports increased by 71.9% to $18.3 billion, accounting for 87.4% of the total foreign currency revenue. Revenue from services exports accounted for 10.8%, or $2.25 billion (an increase of 14%), and revenue from domestic trade in foreign currency accounted for 0.6%, or $119.8 million (an increase of 3.9%). Income receipts for the first half of the current year decreased by 15.1% to $56.4 million (0.3% of the total foreign currency revenue) compared to January-June 2010. Transfer receipts increased by 33.5% to $194.8 million (0.9%).

According to preliminary data from the National Bank, 41.5% of all foreign currency revenue was generated from CIS countries, including 34.2% from Russia.

The foreign currency revenue of enterprises is the most important source of foreign currency supply in the domestic foreign exchange market. "The growth in its inflow contributes to a more balanced supply and demand for foreign currency in the domestic foreign exchange market and to the overall foreign economic stability of the country," the National Bank noted. -0-