Events

DUSHANBE, 1 June (BelTA) – Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov and Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev discussed Belarusian-Russian cooperation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 1 June, BelTA has learned.

Andrei Kobyakov and Dmitry Medvedev talked over topical aspects of Belarusian-Russian cooperation and the schedule of forthcoming meetings. The two prime ministers met on the sidelines of the CIS Heads of Government Council session.

According to the Belarusian government, in Q1 2018 Belarus-Russia trade totaled $8.4 billion, 20.3% up from January-March 2017. Belarus’ export to Russia reached $3.1 billion (10.2% up) while import from Russia totaled $5.3 billion (27.2% up).

Russia continues to remain Belarus’ main trade partner. In January-March 2018 Russia’s share in Belarus’ merchandise trade totaled 49.8%. Russia accounted for 39.2% of Belarus’ export and 59.2% of Belarus’ import. In January-March 2017 Russia accounted for 51.9% of Belarus’ foreign trade, 45% of Belarus’ export, and 57.9% of Belarus’ import.

In January-March 2018 Belarus exported $793.4 million worth of services to Russia, 29.1% up from the same period of last year. Import totaled $347.7 million, 18% up. The foreign trade surplus was $445.7 million.