In January-July 2011 Vitebsk Oblast exports went up more than 1.5 times over the same period last year, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Oleg Matskevich told reporters on 14 September, BelTA has learned.

In January-July 2011 the region posted $78 million worth of foreign trade surplus in commodities (excluding oil products) and $24 million worth of foreign trade surplus in services.

Efforts of local authorities and directors of companies are aimed at minimizing negative consequences of events that happened in the country. They stepped up efforts to promote import substitution and boost exports, Oleg Matskevich stressed. “The trade surplus is the main indicator of the efficiency of work in these areas,” he said.

In 2011 the foreign trade surplus in Vitebsk Oblast is expected to reach $120 million (excluding oil products). The region will continue to implement import substitution and export-oriented projects. Vitebsk Oblast has a good potential to set up new production facilities, Oleg Matskevich is convinced.