Opinions & Interviews

PM points to sustained momentum in Belarus’ foreign economic activities

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MINSK, 17 June (BelTA) – We will meet all economic targets given proper internal mobilization and a focus on results, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko told the media in Minsk on 17 June, BelTA has learned.

Roman Golovchenko noted that Belarus' foreign policy agenda in H2 will be packed, and that the visits of the head of state last year and this year have accelerated trade and economic cooperation with third countries.

"Everyone remembers the president's African tours, the recent visits to Azerbaijan, Mongolia... In fact, very close work is being carried in each of these areas. In the second half of the year, we will have a lot of foreign policy events and visits, both at the government level and within the framework of various interstate associations. We have stepped up foreign economic activity," he said.

The prime minister also stated that the external situation is not getting easier: the sanctions remain in place, and attempts are underway to make these measures even tougher. "We understand that the sanctions are here for a long time, so we build our policy based on this. Despite everything, Belarusian exports are growing. What is especially gratifying is that we ramped up exports to faraway countries (the African continent, the Middle East). The exports have increased both in monetary terms and in physical volumes. New logistics, production and financial chains have already been launched," Roman Golovchenko said.

Cooperation with the Russian Federation continues to grow. "in terms of some commodities we already have to choose where to supply: to the near markets or to the far markets. We are honoring all our obligations to our Russian colleagues. When there are surpluses we sell then to faraway markets," the prime minister added.

"We will address all the tasks that the country's economic team faces," the head of government stressed. “We need to increase exports a little. But so far we have been doing well, and I think that with proper internal mobilization and focus on results, we will meet all the targets."

In January-May Belarus met four main indicators of social and economic development out of five: GDP rose by 5.2%; investments – by 9.6%; real incomes of the population (which is very important) – by 9.8%, and the consumer price index remained within the projected scenario of 2.8%.

As for the fifth export growth indicator, the country has not yet reached the desired results. Yet the numbers are still higher than last year's. In January-May exports went up by 2.1%, which was below the 4% growth target.

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