Region

Gomel oblast steps up export 22.4% in January-May

The export of companies of Gomel oblast in January-May 2006 was worth of USD 1,74 billion, up 22.4 per cent from the same period last year, the external economic affairs department of the Gomel oblast executive committee told BelTA. There was a significant growth in out-of-the-CIS export. In January-May the oblast’s companies sold products worth of USD 1,33 billion, 124.6 per cent as against last year’s performance. The export bound for Ukraine has also been boosted: goods worth of USD 84,4 million, a 50-per cent gain from the same period in 2005, were supplied to that country. Export to Russia rose almost 10 per cent. The overall external trade turnover by Gomel oblast companies in January-May was worth of USD 2,29 billion, up 12.1 per cent from the same period in 2005. The five-month import slid down by 11.4 per cent to USD 550 million. The analysis of foreign economic activity of the oblast over the recent five years shows an upward trend in export. In the first five months of 2006 the oblast exported goods more than throughout 2003. Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Ukraine are among the major trade partners of Gomel oblast. The crucial export items are petro-chemical goods, products from ferrous metals, equipment, polished glass, textile goods and food.