Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 July (BelTA) – Belarus and Ukraine are aimed at increasing bilateral trade two times within the next two years, Belarus Vice Premier Vladimir Semashko said in an interview to the ONT TV channel, BelTA has learned.

“The global crisis is over. The economy is gradually recovering. Our states are out of recession. The potential is big and we must make use of it. I think that in 2019 we will reach $8 billion in mutual trade,” said Vladimir Semashko. He stressed that the two economies are largely complementary.

Vladimir Semashko also emphasized the importance of the initiative to hold a forum of regions of Belarus and Ukraine. “We need to intensify regional relations. Ukraine has seen a redistribution of financial flows between the center, Kiev and oblasts. Some 60% of finances are in the oblasts. As a result, there are 55 billion of Ukrainian hryvnias on the governors’ deposits today,” the vice premier said. In his words, Belarus has won a tender to ship 100 buses to Kiev, 47 buses to Odessa and also discusses supplies to other cities. “Regions have money and we should be more active,” he said.