Business news

MINSK, 11 July (BelTA) – We should not overlook the moment when the global economic situation gets better to promote the Belarusian products, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss Belarus’ priorities in foreign policy at the present stage on 11 July, BelTA has learned.

“I am now addressing all the participants: the government and the major exporters as well as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ambassadors. We should not overlook the moment to promote our products when the global economic situation gets better. We should not rush into the markets that are not looking for us and ignore the most beneficial neighboring markets,” the president noted.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the export growth and diversification will be the main criteria of the effectiveness of Belarus’ foreign policy in general and Belarus’ foreign diplomatic missions in particular. In January-May 2017 the Belarusian export went up by over 20% or nearly $2 billion. Without including oil, oil products, potash and nitrogen fertilizers the export has grown by almost 30%. “This is the non-resource-based export indicator which our ambassadors and relevant public executives are in charge of,” the head of state remarked.

Alexander Lukashenko underlined Russia remains Belarus’ major trading and economic partner. The countries are working out common approaches to the key economic goals. The exports to Russia accounted for half of the $2 billion growth Belarus had in January-May 2017. “We see that despite all the obstacles arising in this market, including the artificial ones, our products are in demand in Russia. This demand will be growing. If Russia is saying today that the embargo and sanctions are a chance for its economy, you should understand that this is a chance for our economy, too. This is due to Belarus-Russia close economic relations and cooperation,” the Belarusian leader highlighted.

According to the president, the current situation requires calm, confident, and persistent teamwork with the Russian side on addressing specific economic issues. “Close economic ties involve thousands of large enterprises. Millions of Russians and Belarusians depend on them. Unfortunately, we are facing certain complications in this market. Large-scale support provided to the Russian companies by the government disadvantages our products in Russia,” Alexander Lukashenko added.