BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

18/09/2006

Belarus posts trade deficit in 7 mths

MINSK. Sept 18 (Interfax) - Belarus posted a foreign trade deficit for goods and services of $415.4 million in January-July 2006, according to the payment balance methodology prepared by the National Bank, compared with a foreign trade surplus of $769.7 million in the same period in the previous year, the Statistics & Analysis Ministry told Interfax.

The foreign trade deficit for goods was $840.5 million, against a trade surplus of $198.7 million last year, while there was a foreign trade surplus for services of $425.1 million, down 15.9% from last year.

Foreign trade turnover grew 31.9% to $25.036 billion in the first seven months of 2006. Exports increased 24.7% to $12.31 billion and imports grew 39.7% to $12.726 billion.

Foreign trade increased 33.7% to $23.047 billion, according to ministry. Exports grew 26.6% to $11.043 billion and imports rose 40.8% to $12 billion.

Source:

http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/finances/26.html?id_issue=11589959