Common economic space may give Belarus trade surplus in 2013
MINSK. Dec 17 (Interfax) - Belarus may achieve a trade surplus in 2013 thanks to the inception of the common economic space, National Bank Chairman Pyotr Prokopovich told journalists in Minsk on Friday.
"We may achieve a trade surplus in 2013," Prokopovich said, recalling that previously Minsk planned to achieve a trade surplus in 2014. The trade deficit next year will shrink 50%, he said.
Creation of the common economic space between Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan is a very important factor for Belarus, Prokopovich said.
It was reported earlier that Belarus had a trade deficit of $5.114 billion in January-October 2010, wider by 20.2% than in the same period last year. The trade deficit in goods widened 19.5% to $6.529 billion, while the trade surplus in services widened 17.2% to $1.416 billion.
Belarus' trade deficit in 2009 widened 18.9% to $5.55 billion.
The Economy Ministry forecasts the trade deficit will equal $4.6 billion-$4.7 billion in 2010. Exports will rise 27%-28% to $29.45 billion-$29.64 billion and imports will increase 20%-21% to $34.05 billion-$34.34 billion.