Business news

MINSK, 24 March (BelTA) – China was one of Belarus’ three major trading partners in 2015, Belarusian Deputy Economy Minister Alexander Yaroshenko said when speaking at a conference on the Chinese economy, Belarusian-Chinese cooperation and joint development of the Silk Road Economic Belt on 24 March, BelTA has learned.

The official pointed out that the trade between Belarus and China in 2015 exceeded $3 billion, up by 5.6% from 2014. Belarus exported $800 million worth of products (up by 22%) and imported $2.4 billion (up by 1.1%).

“Keeping in mind the friendly relations between our countries, Belarus is ready to considerably boost its exports to China to several billions of U.S. dollars and hopes to get assistance from the Chinese side. For example, according to the business plan, by year-end 2020 the implementation of the investment projects of the first stage of the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone may increase Belarus’ exports by $1.5-$5.2 billion, with the share of exports in sales revenues at 80%,” Alexander Yaroshenko stressed.

Dozens of important projects in power engineering, transport, aerospace, and construction are currently underway or are ready for implementation in Belarus with the participation of Chinese capital.

The conference was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Belarus. Attending the event were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Cui Qiming, representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Economy Ministry, the China-Belarus Industrial Park, the Departments of International Relations and Economics of Belarusian State University, and the Belarusian-Chinese Friendship Society.