Belarus-Ukraine trade strong in 2012
2013-03-22 10:05:03
In 2012 Belarus was Ukraine’s fourth largest trade partner after Russia, China, and Germany and ahead of Poland. The information was released by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Ukraine Mr Valentin Velichko at the meeting with Grodno Oblast Governor Mr Semyon Shapiro. The Ambassador is in Grodno Oblast on a two-day working visit for the sake of discussing ways to raise the trade and economic cooperation, BelTA has learned.
The diplomat said that Ukraine is a profitable trade partner for Belarus. The volume of trade turnover between the two countries demonstrates it. In 2012 it hit a record high and exceeded $6 billion, with the surplus at $2.1 billion. In 2012 Belarus-Ukraine trade reached $7.8 billion, with the surplus at $3.2 billion.
While the market is saturated today, it is necessary to preserve the figures, said the diplomat.
He underlined that while working in Ukraine Belarusian manufacturers primarily have to deal with private companies as they make 96% of the merchandise in Ukraine. Cooperation with each requires an individual approach. Private companies are granted payment respites, wholesale discounts and so on. For the sake of successful promotion of Belarusian manufacturers on the Ukrainian market intense work is required.
Valentin Velichko stressed that good results in fair trade and cross-border trade between the countries were achieved in 2012. The bordering areas account for 26% of the trade turnover.
Grodno Oblast has traditionally traded actively with Ukraine. Ukrainian customers know Belarusian companies well such as the Lida-based company OAO Lakokraska, OAO Neman Glassworks, SOOO Conte Spa, RUP Smorgon Assembly Plant and other ones. Ukraine has a special attitude towards Belarusian manufacturers of agricultural machines and quality meat and milk products. There are prospects for cooperation in the delivery of meat and milk products. OAO Lidagroprommash and Minsk Tractor Works will work to ship tractors and mounted equipment to Ukraine. There are other projects, too. Efforts of resident companies of Belarusian free economic zones, which export their merchandise to Ukraine rather vigorously, look promising.
During the two-day trip the Ambassador visited several enterprises in the town of Lida and the district as well as the free economic zone Grodnoinvest where he met with representatives of over 20 resident companies and discussed topical matters concerning the shipment of their merchandise to Ukraine.