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said. Belarus is second only to Russia in these terms, according to the minister. In terms of import Belarus is ahead of Russia, with the share at about 40%. Belarus is very closely interconnected and integrated with other countries -- more than any other country of the EAEU -- and thus its costs associated with the barriers, derogations and exceptions are much higher, the minister added. The minister noted that there are equal conditions for economic entities, development of the common markets of oil, oil products and gas in the EAEU and distribution of customs duties. “I always say that I am always glad to hear criticism of the Eurasian Economic Commission. You do not criticize the things that are of no interest, that are irrelevant. [Belarus president Alexander] Lukashenko’s eloquent and emotional speeches are evidence that Belarus is really very interested in the Eurasian integration. The country reaps great benefits but at the same time it understands that it can get more,” Valovaya said.
Belarus exported more than $5bn worth of agricultural products in 2018 , Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats said on 30 January, BelTA reports.
Belarus has set ambitious targets for the current five-year term. The gross domestic product is expected to make up not less than $100bn. The agricultural industry is projected to expand almost 1.5 times. To meet these targets the commodity output should increase by not less than 5% in 2019 and not less than 3% in 2020, according to the minister.
These figures are feasible, especially for Brest Oblast, Leonid Zayats said. He believes that the region should set more ambitious goals in terms of production of milk and meat. Milk production in Brest Oblast rose by 5.9% in 2018 to 1.6mn tonnes, Brest Oblast First Vice Governor Valery Rebkovets reported. The country's absolute leader is Molodovo-Agro company from Ivanovo District with around 10.6 tonnes of milk yield per cow.
The region exports more than half of dairy output and almost 39% of meat products. Companies affiliated with the Brestmyasomolprom Association exported $672mn worth of products in 2018, which was $12mn more than in the previous year.
Agro-products were shipped to 35 countries. Exports to China rose four times in 2018 over 2017 to amount to $11.2mn. The local companies branched out into the markets of Tajikistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Ghana, Denmark and other countries. “All dairy factories operate in the black,” Rebkovets said.
Belarus-Armenia trade up by 17.3% in 2018. Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Rumas and Armenian Ambassador to Belarus Armen Gevondyan discussed topical issues of cooperation at the bilateral level and in the integration associations, BelTA learned from the website of the Belarusian government. In 2018 Belarus-Armenia trade totalled $50.1mn, up by 17.3% over 2017. Exports amounted to $37.4mn, imports came at $12.7mn. Belarus had a $24.7mn surplus. In Armenia there is a distribution network of more than 80 Belarusian enterprises. There are three enterprises with participation of Belarusian capital: Armenian-Belarusian trading house AR-Be, BelAZ Kavkaz Trans Service and BelAr trading house.
19 BELARUS Country Report March 2019 www.intellinews.com