Belarus-Russia trade growth expected at 6.5% in 2023

“2022 was a record year in trade with Russia. There were several basic tasks set by the president and the government. The main one was to redirect $6.5 billion worth of trade from the European and Ukrainian markets to Russia. This task has been implemented in full. In numbers, if we take U.S. dollars, export to Russia increased by 40.5%, and by 10.5% if we take physical volumes,” Dmitry Krutoi said.

In his opinion, 2023 will be no less productive than the previous year. “Of course, it would probably be wrong to expect the same pace to the high figures achieved last year. The growth of trade at 6.5% will be a very good figure to the high base, which has already been achieved,” the ambassador added.

Dmitry Krutoi drew attention to the topic of barriers in bilateral relations. “The topic of barriers is a constant one. Last year, of course, was better in this regard. First of all, it concerns agricultural products. We have found the tools and I think this year, in the first half of the year, we will finally sign the order under which our enterprises in the Russian market (primarily those involved in the processing of agricultural products) will work in very clear and understandable terms. There will be no odious decisions to close down. As far as industry is concerned: an important agreement was signed so that there would be no barriers within the framework of Union State programs to build a unified industrial policy. This is about technological operations so that our industrial goods are not considered foreign in Russia, and we have access to federal and regional subsidy programs. In the next few days, an agreement will be signed on a unified industrial policy. I think these basic and new agreements will further reduce the number of barriers on the Russian market,” the Belarusian ambassador to Russia said.