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Belarus’ merchandise export to Latvia at nearly $64m in Q1
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MINSK, 7 May (BelTA) - Belarus’ merchandise export to Latvia amounted to $63.8 million in January-March 2020, Belarusian Ambassador to Latvia Vasily Markovich told BelTA.
“Despite the difficult situation in the global economy due to coronavirus, foreign trade has not stopped. Belarusian exporters have been working to increase the export even in such conditions. Our embassy is also looking for new niches for Belarusian products,” the head of the diplomatic mission said.
Excluding oil, petroleum products, oil gases and other hydrocarbon gases, paints and varnishes, antiknocks, antioxidants, inhibitors, thickeners, potash and nitrogen fertilizers, the Belarusian export shrank by $3.6 million to $62.5 million.
According to the diplomat, export of certain types of Belarusian goods surged significantly in Q1. For example, the export of rapeseed oil rose by 8.7 times year-on-year, that of polyamides– 7.6 times, soybean oil – 6.8 times, crude aluminum - 6.4 times, potash fertilizers – 6.1 times. The supply of Belarusian cement and cooper wood to the Latvian market rose by 2.3 times and that of insulated wires - by $0.5 million, or almost 60%. Fuelwood export to Latvia went up by $1.4 million in Q1, or 25.4% year-on-year. “At the same time, the export of oil products plummeted during this period as the Belarusian oil refineries operated at a reduced capacity.” Ambassador Vasily Markovich noted.
According to the diplomat, in order to step up export the Belarusian Embassy in Latvia and the Consulate General in Daugavpils are helping to organize joint production facilities and develop commodity distribution networks. “We always help our producers, encourage them to take part in international exhibitions, assist with foreign trade contracts and direct negotiations, accompany delegations coming to Latvia. We regularly organize events to showcase our country's export opportunities,” the Ambassador said.
“As in any work, we face some issues as we organize deliveries of Belarusian goods to the Latvian and European markets,” he added. For example, there are strict requirements for compliance of goods and services with the technical requirements of the European Union, including environmental safety standards. First of all, this applies to automotive and agricultural machinery. Exporters are required to have certificates testifying the compliance of Belarusian products and services with the requirements and regulations of the European Union. “Fortunately, our exporters know these requirements and try to minimize their impact on export growth, and our missions abroad are helping them with this,” Ambassador Vasily Markovich noted.
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