Business news

MINSK, 11 July (BelTA) – In January-May 2018 Belarus increased the export of merchandise and services by 21.9% in comparison with the same period of last year to $16.7 billion, BelTA learned from the website of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB).

Belarus’ trade in merchandise and services totaled $33.1 billion, 22.3% up from January-May 2017. Export amounted to $16.7 billion (21.9% up), with import going over $16.4 billion (22.7% up). The surplus of the foreign trade in merchandise and services amounted to $309.7 million.

Merchandise trade rose by 22.7% to $27.7 billion. Merchandise export went up by 22% to $13.3 billion, with import up by 23.3% to $14.4 billion. The deficit of merchandise trade reached $1.11 billion, up from $785 million in January-May 2017.

Trade in services amounted to $5.374 billion, 120.4% as against January-May 2017. Export of services reached $3.397 billion (121.3%), with import at $1.977 billion (118.8%). The surplus of the foreign trade in services reached $1.4 billion, 24.9% up from January-May 2017.