According to the Belarusian trade balance, foreign trade amounted to $18.5 billion in the first quarter of 2011, including export — $7.74 billion, imports — $10.77 billion. Foreign trade deficit in goods of $3.03 billion has been formed for the period.
The deficit amounted to 41.2 billion during the first quarter of 2010.
Belarus carried out export-import operations with 170 countries around the world in the first quarter 2011. The country exported goods to 128 countries, while the imported products were manufactured in 152 countries, reported the National Statistics Committee.
The main trade partners of the republic were as follows: Russia — 44.6% of total trade, Ukraine — 6.5%, Netherlands — 6.2%, Germany — 5.2%, China — 3.4%, Poland — 3.1 %, Venezuela — 2.8%, Latvia — 2.7%, Brazil — 2.4%, Azerbaijan — 2.3%.
Belarus’s Stocks Increased by 36.6% since Early Year
Meanwhile, May 1, 2011, stocks of ready-made goods at industrial enterprises of Belarus amounted to Br6.86 trillion ($2.3 billion at the rate NBRB on the relevant date), an increase of 36.6% or Br1.84 trillion ($610 million) since the year’s beginning, reports the National Statistical Committee.
Stocks have been rising continuously since the beginning of this year: they increased by 2% in April after rising by 1.9% in March, by 7.9% in February and 21.8% in January.
The ratio of finished products stocks and the average monthly production was 52.1% in April.
The highest ratio of stocks of finished goods and the average monthly production volume was formed in the production of leather, leather products and footwear — 175.9% (Br175.8 billion), in the textile and clothing industry — 154.2% (Br568.2 billion), in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products — 141% (Br117.3 billion).
Machinery and equipment stocks made up 91.3% of the average production (Br1.28 trillion), while vehicles and equipment — 88.5% (Br734 billion). Stocks of food amounted to Br1.55 trillion (60.3% of the average production).
