Belarusian Industry Ministry eyes exports to Russia up 10% in 2023

MINSK. Feb 27 (Interfax) - The exports of Belarusian industrial goods to Russia are expected to grow 10% in 2023, Belarusian Deputy Industry Minister Dmitry Kharitonchik said.

"Hopefully, it will be around 110% at the end of the year. These are challenging numbers for our enterprises, and we still have to fight for that. Especially as we can see how fluent the situation is, in particular, with the entry of the Russian market by product suppliers from China, Turkey and so on," Kharitonchik said on the Belarus 1 television channel on Sunday.

The Russian market is being vacated by certain types of products, it is transforming, and many start to fiercely compete for it, he said.

"Our work [in Russia in 2022] grew more than 150%, compared to 2021. It will be difficult to attain the same level, however, the potential, the groundwork laid last year through interaction with our Russian partners, our colleague, alongside work started with regions of the Russian Federation will bring results this year, as well," Kharitonchik said.

The agreement on a common industrial policy of Belarus and Russia provides a legal foundation for harmonizing industry development policies, stimulating industrial production, and avoiding duplication, excessive facilities and unnecessary competition, he said.

"We will guide and concentrate our efforts, our resources, including those financial, on the areas necessitated by the current geopolitical situation. At this time, our Russian partners and we should focus on the areas that are truly necessary for the development of our countries," Kharitonchik said.