In January-July foreign trade turnover of Gomel oblast makes Br2,92 billion and exceeds whole 2003 index

In January-July 2005 the foreign trade turnover of Gomel oblast made Br2,92 billion and grew by 22,5 per cent against the same period of 2004. Exports made Br2,06 billion; imports – Br860 billion. In cost terms exports increased by 40,2 per cent; imports reduced by 6 per cent, a correspondent of BelTA has been informed in the statistical department of the oblast executive committee.

For the 7 months of the current year the foreign trade volume of the region exceeded the whole 2003 index (Br2,88 billion).

In January-July the trade surplus reached Br1,2 billion owing to the growth of oil exports – by 64,1 per cent; ferrous metals – by 14,3 per cent; polished glass – 2,6 times. Import purchases of grain reduced by 61,5 per cent and textile – by 7,5 per cent.

Some 73,3 per cent of the total export goes to the countries outside the CIS; 20,1 per cent – to Russia and 6,6 per cent – to the CIS member-states. This year economic entities of the region perform import-export operations with 87 countries. They exported goods to 71 states and imported from 76 countries. Russia is still the main trade-economic partner of Gomel oblast.