In January-February 2007, Gomel oblast has trade surplus worth of $272 million
In January-February this year, the foreign trade of Gomel oblast in goods totaled $1,02 billion or 20.7% more as against the same period of 2006. The export totaled $646 million and dropped by 3.9%; the import grew 2,2 times up to $374 million. Thus, Gomel oblast had trade surplus worth of $272 million, BelTA was told in the department of foreign economic links of the Gomel oblast executive committee.
According to the source, certain reduction of the export was explained by the sudden changes in the work of Mozyr Oil Refinery – one of the main exporters of the region. The matter concerns this year’s imposition of customs duties on the oil imported from the Russian Federation and the growth of export customs duties on the ready oil products. As a result, the company had to increase supplies to the internal market and to cut supplies to the international market by 30%.
At the same time specialists draw attention to the fact that the losses Mozyr Oil Refinery suffered in the result of the reduction of export supplies were virtually graded by other branches of national economy. For example, in January-February, the export of goods made of ferrous and non-ferrous metals grew by 66.7%, machines and equipment – by 41.2%, timber and pulp and paper goods – by 40%, textile and textile goods – by 34.3%, chemical goods – by 27.3%. The export of other goods has been growing as well. Gomel oblast performs foreign trade operations with 74 countries.
In January-February 2007, the export of services totaled $41,4 million or 12.9% more as against the same period of 2006.
