Business news

MINSK, 25 July (BelTA) - Belarus expects to ramp up the export of medical services by 20% following the launch of the new visa-free travel rules, Dmitry Kalistratov, head of business, pricing and state property at the Health Ministry, told a press briefing in BelTA’s press center on 25 July.

“We aim to gain a further increase in the volume of primarily diagnostic services, consultative medical care, high-tech surgeries and other medical services. This year we intend to increase the export of medical services by 15-20%,” Dmitry Kalistratov said.

“In 2017 Belarus’ export of medical services rose by 6.2%, including thanks to the launch of the five-day visa-free travel. Geography of exports covers 114 countries. We have seen a good growth in the export to the UK, Ireland, the United States, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China,” Dmitry Kalistratov informed.

With the extension of the visa-free travel program, Belarus got the opportunity to expand the range of medical services and thereby increase revenues. “We are planning to earn about $40 million on exports of health services,” Dmitry Kalistratov said.

BelTA reported earlier that Belarus extended visa-free travel for foreign nationals to 30 days. Foreign nationals must fly in and out of National Airport Minsk. A visitor must carry a valid passport or substituting document, assets (equivalent to at least two base amounts for each day of stay, or 50 base amounts for a 30-day stay), and medical insurance in the amount of at least €10,000.