In January-June 2008, Belarus’ foreign trade in goods swelled by 58.5% in comparison with the same period last year to $36.76 billion, the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis told BelTA.

Belarus’ export went up by 61.8% to reach $17.273 billion while the import increased by 55.7% to $19.488 billion. In January-June, a foreign trade deficit totaled $2.215 billion (the January-June 2007 deficit stood at $1.838 billion).

Belarus has been raising trade turnover with the CIS countries. For the six months of 2008, Belarus’ foreign trade in goods with the CIS increased by 62,8% to $21,223 billion. Export totaled $7,592 billion (up 54%), import - $13,631 billion (up 68,1%). The exports to the Russian Federation reached $5.58 billion, imports from Russia made up $12.432 billion, up 42% and 70.8% respectively over the same point a year ago. In January-June, the foreign trade in goods between Belarus and Russia grew 60.7% as against the same period last year to reach $18.012 billion.

In January-June, Belarus’ exports to Ukraine saw a dramatic growth: by 160.3% to $1.499 billion. Imports made up $1.031 billion (up 48.1%).

For the six months of 2008, Belarus’ trade with non-CIS countries surged 53.1% to $15.538 billion. Exports went upward 68.5% to $9.681, imports – 32.9% to $5.857 billion.

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