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Discrimination of Belarusian products on Russian market under fire

ST PETERSBURG, 16 July (BelTA) – The discrimination of Belarusian products on the Russian market must not happen, BelTA learned from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Vladimir Semashko on 16 July.

The diplomat noted that in 2018 Belarus-Russia trade rose by 9.4% primarily due to higher export from Russia to Belarus. This year trade figures have been slightly behind last year’s so far. “A very complicated year. I hope we can do better than last year,” Vladimir Semashko said.

Yet he stated that Belarusian products are discriminated against on the Russian market. “We reduced milk deliveries last year. This year the situation has been roughly the same,” the ambassador noted as an example. In his words, the Russian market is fully or partially closed to 62 Belarusian dairy companies.

The situation is as bad for about 40 Belarusian meat-processing enterprises and eight fish processing ones. “It is nonsense. Things like that must not happen. Our products are good and enjoy the corresponding and well-deserved reputation on the Russian market,” the diplomat stated.

There are also problems with exporting Belarusian vehicles, machines, and equipment to Russia. For instance, export by the Belarusian agricultural machinery manufacturer Gomselmash has dropped by 40%. “These products are absolutely competitive but there are barriers,” Vladimir Semashko added.

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