First Deputy PM: Belarusian goods exported to 161 countries
Belarusian goods are exported to 161 countries – as informed by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Nikolai Snopkov, at the Export League forum in Minsk
Mr. Snopkov noted that the event united the majority of participants in foreign economic activity – gathering 550+ representatives of over 200 companies which are actively working and assisting in export affairs, “Our President has repeatedly said that external pressure brings us closer. I think today's forum is a vivid example of the need to get closer, unite and work together to develop the country's export potential. This need is acute.”
The First Deputy Prime Minister recalled that external challenges and sanctions pressure have been in action for almost two years, but Belarus continues to increase its presence in foreign markets. “The republic sells its products to 161 countries, while the geography of exports is continuously expanding: the list includes the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, CIS, China, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The potential is huge. It is not good to say that the markets of the Middle East, Latin America and Africa are new to us: we are too used to feeling comfortable when neighbouring a large market, which consumes much, when the work is easy and simple. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to other promising markets and niches, and they are open. As the experience of the last 2.5-3 years has shown, the attempts to restrain our activity in foreign markets are futile, while businesses have a huge desire to develop and sell their products. It is normal to respond to restraining processes by moving forward. As a result, the volume of supplies is growing," Mr. Snopkov stressed.
According to the official, taking into account the collapse of markets in value terms, export indicators of 2023 are lagging behind last year's ones in value terms, but – in physical volumes – indicators are increasing with regard to almost all investment, intermediate and consumer goods.
“In nine months of 2023, exports grew by more than a third, adding $6bn to our balance of payments, which is the country's purse and a measure of the efficiency of work, the sufficiency of export revenue to maintain the financial stability of the country,” Mr. Snopkov emphasised. “Such results have become possible due to a variety of factors and simultaneously operating mechanisms. Among them are instruments of state financial and non-financial support, which we are scaling up and increasing. The Foreign Ministry is increasingly immersed in the foreign economic context by virtue of its mandate; and its activity is obviously intensifying in this direction. In addition, the Government has always paid and will continue to pay priority attention to the development of foreign economic activity. We are open to any changes in legislation, the creation of new tools, simplification and streamlining, additional regulation of export-related procedures. A specially created ‘anti-sanctions group’ operates, and it reacts promptly and flexibly to the problems in this area.”
The Deputy Prime Minister added that it is now necessary for everyone to unite and work together on the tasks ahead to conquer foreign markets and increase exports.
“I wish all of us a result,” Mr. Snopkov summed up.
