Business news

MINSK, 9 October (BelTA) – In January-August 2018 Belarus increased the export of merchandise and services by 18.3% in comparison with the same period of last year to $27.4 billion, BelTA learned from the website of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB).

Belarus’ trade in merchandise and services totaled $54.2 billion, 19.1% up from January-August 2017. Export amounted to $27.4 billion, with import going over $26.8 billion (19.9% up). The surplus of the foreign trade in merchandise and services amounted to $580.3 million.

Merchandise trade rose by 19.7% to $45.1 billion. Merchandise export went up by 18.9% to $21.7 billion, with import up by 20.5% to $23.4 billion. The deficit of merchandise trade reached $1.6 billion, up from $1.1 billion in January-August 2017.

Trade in services amounted to $9 billion, 115.9% as against January-August 2017. Export of services reached $5.6 billion (116%), with import at $3.4 billion (115.8%). The surplus of the foreign trade in services reached $2.2 billion, 16.3% up from January-August 2017.