Mutual trade between CIS states up by nearly 30% in 2023 - Belarusian TV channel

MINSK. Feb 27 (Interfax) - Mutual trade between the member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) rose by around 30% in 2023, the STV state-run television channel said on Tuesday.

"As for economic cooperation, not only did the CIS states manage to maintain the levels contrary to all forecasts and sanctions, but also increased it. Mutual trade even added around 30%. Cooperation in innovations intensified noticeably," the TV channel said, citing information provided by CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev at a meeting of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives of the CIS member states.

"Cooperation in innovations has also grown. The Belarusians are now promoting machine building projects in Kazakhstan and other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, building there enterprises to assemble agricultural machinery. Well done. We have now substantially enhanced cooperation in economic issues, culture, etc.," Lebedev was quoted by the TV channel as saying.

The participants in the meeting also discussed proposals for a draft agenda for the next meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Ashgabat on May 24, it said.