Minsk Oblast plans to increase the export of goods and services by 24% in 2011, BelTA learnt from the Economy Committee of the Minsk oblast executive committee.

This year for Minsk Oblast will be even harder than the previous one. There are plans to reduce foreign trade deficit to $600 million and balance foreign trade by 2014. In 2015 foreign trade surplus should make up $150 million.

“Export growth, profitability of supplies, improved legal and information support systems are the major areas of foreign economic activity in 2011,” the economy committee noted.

The export potential will be boosted with the help of new technologies, technological equipment, an increased share of high-technology products in the export, production of goods with high value added.

Russia and Europe are seen as strategic partners for the mid-term outlook.

Among the promising markets are Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa. Minsk Oblast intends to develop export to Brazil. This year the Avgust-Bel Company is going to deliver crop protecting agents to the Brazilian states. The region will continue strengthening its positions in Singapore, Cuba, Iceland, New Zealand and Costa Rica.

As regards export of services, Minsk Oblast relies on the successful implementation of two important government programs - development of the transport and logistics system and the Naroch Lake resort area. Thus, the region is planning to carry out 16 projects in transport logistics. Twelve of them have been launched already. This will help increase transit traffic many times. The development of the Naroch region will give impetus to the development of tourism.

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