Opinions & Interviews

Belarus, Russia to continue dismantling trade barriers

BREST, 13 December (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia will continue dismantling barriers in mutual trade and enabling conditions for equal access to each other’s markets, BelTA learned from Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Rumas after a session of the Council of Ministers of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Brest on 13 December.

Over 20 matters were discussed during the session of the Council of Ministers of the Union State of Belarus and Russia on 13 December. Results of trade and economic cooperation represented one of the key topics. In 2017 Belarus-Russia trade rose by over 23% to over $32 billion. In January-October 2018 Belarus-Russia trade grew by 12.7%.

“It is extremely important to make the trend last. This is why the matter of competitive conditions for doing business in Belarus and Russia is becoming particularly important. Many other cooperation issues have already been resolved. We have yet to work on some other ones. We’ve agreed to continue the dialogue about enabling favorable conditions in mutual trade and increasing Belarus-Russia trade turnover, including by removing barriers and restrictions standing in the way of trade, by enabling conditions for equal access to the Belarusian and Russian markets for commercial entities,” said Sergei Rumas.

Participants of the session discussed progress in carrying out the action plan on further development of small and medium business in the Union State of Belarus and Russia in 2017-2019. “Discussing the matter, we spoke in favor of coordinating the joint efforts to encourage entrepreneurship initiative, share the best practices and achievements in this sphere within the framework of the relevant events, which are implemented under the aegis of the Union State of Belarus and Russia and with assistance of the Union State Standing Committee,” said Sergei Rumas.

Plans for trading in agricultural products in the Union State in 2019 were also discussed. Planned figures for trading in fuel and energy sources in 2019 were approved with regard to oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, and furnace fuel.

Attention was paid to prospects of future development of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. The implementation of medium-term tasks in this field by 2022 was discussed. The agenda also included such important matters as the state budget, the implementation of Union State programs, cooperation in defense and security.

Social and humanitarian affairs were discussed following the established tradition. “In anticipation of remarkable jubilees – the 75th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazi invaders and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet people’s victory in the Great Patriotic War – we talked about how we can properly celebrate these dates,” said Sergei Rumas.

A number of documents on expanding cooperation in the Union State of Belarus and Russia were signed as a result of the session.

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