Belarus forecasts trade turnover with Russia to increase 6.5% in 2023

MINSK. Feb 13 (Interfax) - The growth of trade turnover between Belarus and Russia will amount to 6.5% this year, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi said.

"I think it [2023] will be no less fruitful than the last year. Of course, it would probably be wrong to expect the same [growth] rate from the high base achieved last year. But the increase in trade turnover, if we deem it the main indicator of any development, at 6.5% would be a very good figure. To the high base that has already been achieved," he said in an interview with state-run STV television channel on Sunday.

"Last year we had a record year in trade with Russia. There were several fundamental tasks set by the president and the government. The main one was to redirect $6.5 billion from the European and Ukrainian markets to Russia. This task has been implemented in full. In figures, if to take dollars, our exports to Russia rose 40.5%, in volume terms [it went up] 10.5%. In terms of physical volume," the diplomat said.