Belarus posts 8M trade surplus of $3.8 bln
MINSK. Oct 8 (Interfax) - Belarus had a trade surplus of $3.814 billion for January-August 2012, according to the balance of payments method, compared with a deficit of $1.312 billion in the same period of last year, the National Bank of Belarus said.
The country had a trade deficit of $79.3 million in August, compared with surpluses of $394.6 million in July and $588 million in June.
Foreign trade grew 13.5% in the 8M to $69.45 billion, of which $62.75 billion in goods, up 13.6%, and $6.7 billion in services, up 13.3% year-on-year.
According to adjusted data, the country had a trade surplus of $3.89 billion in January-July.
The visible trade surplus was $1.948 billion in January-August 2012 ($2.88 billion deficit in the same period of last year). There was a $323.7 million deficit in August but surpluses of $193.3 million in July and $343.1 million in June. Belarus had an invisible trade surplus of $1.87 billion in the 8M, up 19% year-on-year.
Overall exports grew 22.4% year-on-year in the 8M to $36.638 billion, including merchandise - $32.346 billion, up 23.5%), and services - $4.292 billion, up 14.5%.
Imports rose 5.1% to $32.824 billion, including $30.399 billion for goods, up 4.6%, and $2.443 billion for services, up 11.2%.
Belarus had a foreign trade deficit of $2.18 billion in 2011, down 71% on 2010. The government approved a foreign trade surplus forecast of $1 billion to $1.5 billion in 2012, or 2.3%-2.7% of GDP.
