Business news

Grodno Oblast’s merchandise export up by 15% in H1 2020

GRODNO, 13 August (BelTA) – Belarusian Grodno Oblast increased the merchandise export by 15% in January-June 2020. Grodno Oblast Executive Committee convened for a session on 13 August to examine the social and economic development of the region in H1 2020, BelTA has learned.

In H1 2020 Grodno Oblast met more than half of the key performance indicators and even beat the target regarding the merchandise export that came at $775 million, which was up by 15% year-on-year. The region had a surplus of $150 million. Grodno Oblast raised more than $89 million in foreign direct investment (well above the target of $55 million) in H1.

More than 1,400 people were placed in jobs at new enterprises and production facilities. Average salaries in the region in H1 2020 increased by 13% to exceed Br1,000 (Br1,067 in June).

The region also met the energy saving target - minus 4.8% while the target was minus 3.3%. More than 195,000 square meters of housing was commissioned in the region, which was almost half of the target.

Among the industries, agriculture performed the best and expanded by almost 110%. Both livestock and milk industries did well. The region has cropped a good harvest of grains, other crops, and feed.

Gross regional product of Grodno Oblast in H1 2020 accounted for 98.6% of what it was in the same period of last year. As it was noted during the meeting of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee, which was attended by Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko and Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Kravtsov, the pandemic was the main negative contributor to this. Export of services decreased. However, the region managed to prevent mass layoffs, to keep labor collectives, to keep the construction complex running. Now all industries are recovering. The region has a vision of what needs to be done to make up for the drop in performance indicators.

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