Belarus, Russia Increase Trade by 38% in 2011
2012-02-01 11:16:38
Trade between Russia and Belarus totaled $38.6 billion in 2011, which is a 37.7 percent increase against the previous year, the Belarusian National Statistics Committee said on Tuesday.
The country’s exports to Russia in 2011 increased by 37.5 percent year-on-year to hit $13.7 billion, while imports increased by 37.8 percent compared to 2010 and totaled almost $25 billion.
The total international trade of Belarus last year amounted to $86 billion, which is a 43 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Last year, the Belarusian ruble experienced pressure from a large trade deficit and generous wage increases and loans granted by the government ahead of the December 2010 presidential elections, which spurred strong demand for foreign currency.