19 August 2006
Belarus raising trade with CIS countries

The Belarusian economy ministry reported a rise in the country's trade with CIS countries in January through June.

According to the ministry's press office, Belarus' trade with Ukraine grew by 29 percent to $1,015 million in the period, with exports rising by 23.4 percent to $498.5 million and imports by 34.8 percent to $516.4 million.

The supplies of petroleum products to Ukraine jumped by 70 percent to $129.2 million. The ministry linked the rise in imports from Ukraine mainly to soaring electricity supplies.

Trade between Belarus and Moldova climbed by 21.7 percent to $80.6 million. Belarus' exports rose by 14.6 percent to $44 million and imports by 31.6 percent to $36.6 million.

Belarus' trade with Kazakhstan increased by 60.8 percent to $152.4 million.

In the first six months, Belarus raised exports to Georgia by 220 percent, to Kyrgyzstan by 150 percent, to Tajikistan by 80 percent, to Azerbaijan by 50 percent, to Uzbekistan by 20 percent and to Armenia by 12 percent. //BelaPAN