Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the sale of petroleum products amounted 80% to the growth of Belarusian export

Lion's share of Belarusian export in the first half-year of 2012 was formed by oil, petroleum products, and solvents.

This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Alexander Guryanov, reports Interfax.

“Recently we made a preliminary analysis of five months. Expected surplus of foreign trade of goods and services will amount to 3 billion dollars. Oil, petroleum products, and solvents amounted to 80% of the increase of our export”, - stated Guryanov on the meeting with the representatives of the Belarusian diplomatic body.

According to Guryanov, the specific weight of this position in the general amount of export amounted to 48% against 31% in January-May, 2011.

“We have an increase in trade with the EU countries, but everyone there knows what forms it”, - said the vice-minister.

In his turn, Andrew Kobyakov, the Belarus ambassador in Russia, refused to comment the progress of the investigation which Russia is conducting regarding the reasons of growth of Belarusian export of solvents and diluents.

Guryanov noted that Ministry of Foreign Affairs evaluates quantitative indicators of the foreign economic activity as satisfactory. However, the quality structure of Belarusian export is of concern. “The diversification of export is least noticeable in the area of goods and services which poses the question, where are we heading next”, - said A.Guryanov.