Opinions & Interviews

Belarus ready for more projects with Georgia to meet trade growth target

MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) - Belarus is ready to implement as many projects with Georgia as necessary to meet the trade growth target, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told the media on 23 August, BelTA has learned.

According to the minister, Belarus and Georgia do not abandon the goal to reach $200 million in mutual trade, although the trade in goods has slightly fallen this year. 

“I think we will be able to overcome this negative trend by the end of the year. We do not give up our goal. We are ready to implement the maximum number of projects that will allow us to reach the threshold that we have set,” said Vladimir Makei.

According to him, the countries are currently looking into several projects. They will be discussed during the meetings of Georgia Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze. If all the plans are fulfilled, the countries will significantly increase their trade, the minister said.

“It should be taken into account that, unfortunately, the economic situation in Georgia has deteriorated slightly due to the restrictions imposed by the Russian Federation. Therefore, there are certain economic issues. I believe, however, that Georgia will manage to settle the matter,” added Vladimir Makei.

In H1 2019 Belarus-Georgia trade amounted to $37 million, down 5% as compared with the same period last year. Belarusian exports contracted by 12.7% to $25.4 million. Despite this, the country posted trade surplus in the amount of $13.8 million.

This year Belarus’ main exports to Georgia has included synthetic thread, milk and dairy products, medications, electric transformers, wire and cable. Belarus has imported Georgian mineral water, strong drinks, wines, nuts and oil products.

Belarus is home to 17 Georgia-funded companies. In Georgia there are more than 20 representations, subsidiaries, entities of the commodity distribution network and distributors of Belarusian companies. Two Pinskdrev furniture showrooms and also ten stores with Belarusian food products have been opened in Tbilisi and Batumi. In spring 2018, the assembling of Mogilev lifts was launched in Tbilisi. In March 2019, a factory to produce tractors of the Bobruisk Plant of Tractor Parts and Units was opened in Batumi.

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