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Belarus Economy Shows Positive Dynamic
In first six months of 2006 the Belarusian economy has preserved positive
macroeconomic dynamics.
Over the six months this year GDP grew by 10.1 percent from the same period
last year.
Industrial output ramped up by 12.6 percent over the same period of 2005.
Production of consumer goods increased by 11 percent, including food – by
12.9 percent, nonfoods – 9.7 percent. Agricultural companies of all
categories grew production by 6.9 percent. The agricultural organizations
and farmers buoyed up output by 11.2 percent. Cattle-breeding production
went up by 13.2 percent, plant growing – 0.2 percent. The low growth in the
plant-growing industry arouse mainly from the late ripening and harvesting
campaign of winter and natural grass.
Capital investments surged by 36.9 percent over the same period last year.
Slightly more than 2 million square meters of housing, including 862
thousand square meters in rural areas have been constructed during the first
half of the year. As against the same period of 2005 the housing
construction grew stronger by 294 thousand square meters, or by 16.5
percent. Main sources of financing the housing construction were own assets
of the population and bank loans (53.2 percent and 38.1 percent of the total
volume of financing).
Foreign economic activity has also displayed positive dynamics. Thus,
foreign trade in goods and services in actual prices boosted by 31.8
percent, including exports – by 22.4 percent, imports – 42.4 percent. The
deficit of foreign trade in goods and services stood at $345.2 million. At
the same time the foreign trade in goods came to deficit of $686.1 million,
while foreign trade in services resulted in surplus of $340.9 million.
The stable economic growth contributed to the growth of real cash incomes
which as adjusted to the Consumer Price Index increased by 18.4 percent. The
real wages (wages adjusted to the growth of consumer prices for goods and
services) increased by 20.5 percent compared to the same period of 2005. The
purchasing capacity considerably enhanced.
The consolidated Consumer Price Index describing inflation inched up by 3.1
percent or 0.5 percent per month on average. In the first half of 2005
inflation ran at 4 percent or 0.6 on average a month.
Customs Value of Goods Exported from Belarus to Be
Determined Depending on Transaction Price
On July 31 President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed decree #474 “On
determining the customs value of goods”.
The document aims at improving the procedures of determining the customs
value of goods exported from Belarus.
In line with the decree the customs value of goods exported from Belarus is
determined depending on the transaction price or the actual sum paid or to
be paid when the goods are exported and includes expenses covered by a
customer but not included in the sum paid or to be paid.
In case the customs value is impossible to determine in accordance with the
procedures stated above, the customs value of exported goods is determined
on the basis of accounting data produced by a seller-exporter or the prices
for identical or similar goods.
Bellesbumprom Develops Measures to Make Its Activities More
Effective
Last week
First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko stated that several
big investment projects should be implemented in Belarus for the woodworking
industry to work more efficiently.
In
particular, Bellesbumprom concern plans to set up saw-timber production and
to build seven new mini-plants worth of Eur 5-6 million each. Moreover,
building of two plants producing particle boards and three plants producing
medium density fiberboards are also under discussion. The concern also plans
to set up a bleached pulp plant worth of $ 800-900 million. Please, visit
http://bellesbumprom.by to learn more.
Belarus Intends Conduct Major Retooling of Small Companies
In the next
two years small manufactures should undergo major retooling to remain in the
black, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorskiy stated at the meeting of
the Council of Ministers last week.
Stressing
the importance of such changes Sergei Sidorskiy noted that now there is a
unique opportunity for the managers to use experience of GDP-forming
companies in the field, which have already launched modernization programs.
Although banks issue loans to small companies to fund “good ideas” there are
no decent business plans on the horizon, the Prime Minister was sorry to
note.
Sergei
Sidorskiy underlined that in three years companies will have to start
implementing new plans. If they fail to conduct necessary reforms now, they
will be seriously lagging behind.
Under the
discussion of the issue First Vice-Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko
noted that ministries, in particular, the Ministry of Industry, have to
stake on the rise, stabilization and efficient functioning of small
companies, as the potential of large manufactures has been exhausted. “If we
lose the opportunity now, we will have to set up new capacities urgently.
This problem will not go away on its own,” the First Vice-Premier
emphasized.
Belarus to Supply Potash Fertilizers to EU and Chinese
Markets
By the end
of 2006 Belarus plans to supply 1.7 million tons of potash fertilizers to
the Chinese market, First Vice-Primer of Belarus Vladimir Semashko told at
the briefing last week.
According
to him, delivery memoranda were signed by the Belarusian Potash Company and
Chinese companies last week.
The
Belarusian potash fertilizers will be also supplied to all the markets of
the European Union. Earlier Belarus could trade in fertilizers with East
European countries only, Vladimir Semashko told reporters. In his words, the
European Union set a quota of 700.000 tons of potash fertilizers a year for
Belarus. This coincides with the level of previous years, he emphasized.
Next year the monthly supplies to the EU countries are planned to be at the
level of 60-70 thousand tons.
National Program of Energy Diversification Turns in
Practical Implementation
Swedish
company Rindi Energi AB is ready to invest in the construction of small and
medium sized thermoelectric power stations in Belarus, supplying provincial
centers.
The Swedish
company also plans to help open a joint venture in the Grodno region,
producing fuel from wood waste. Belarus and Sweden are keen to liaise on
bioenergy projects; with Swedish help, the country can achieve its national
program of energy diversification. The program envisages Belarus creating 25
percent of its own energy by 2012.
Horizont JSC is to launch the manufacture of computer LCD
monitors
HORIZONT
JSC is the biggest TV manufacturer both in the Republic of Belarus and in
CIS countries.
The company
plans to expand its production of computer LCD monitors. Pilot devices have
already been tested at the Horizont Digital Television Institute. Over the
next two three months, the product should be put into production. Currently,
the company has three LCD monitors in its range, with 15”, 17” and 19” wide
screens. Please visit
http://www.horizont.by to learn more.
Amkodor JSC Starts Supplying Loaders to South Africa
JSC Amkodor starts supplying its loaders to South Africa, marketing director
of the company Leonid Smotritskiy told to reporters this week.
He has noted that this year Amkodor has intensified its work on getting into
markets of the non-CIS countries. For the first time the company started
exporting its road machines to a Middle East country – Qatar. On the whole,
the Belarusian company is working with 32 countries.
In 2006 Amkodor has increased its export volume by 35.3 percent against the
same period of 2005. The company has sold products worth of $20 million on
foreign markets. This year the company has refreshed its line-up of machines
for the timber industry coming up with harvester Amkodor 2551 and forwarder
Amkodor 2661. The equipment was tested in Belarus and received favorable
reviews.
The Amkodor line-up features almost 40 machines with their loading capacity
ranging from 2.5 tons to 6 tons. The company is entitled to put a CE Mark on
its 4t loaders which meets the EU Directives. The company was founded in
1927 and today specializes in the production of wheeled bucket loaders. The
line-up includes road-building, agricultural machinery, equipment for the
timber industry, airports and tractor implements. Please, visit
http://www.amkodor.by to learn more.
Ministry of Trade of Belarus Launches New Version of Its
Web-Site
The
Ministry of Trade of Belarus has launched new version of its web-site.
Please, visit
http://www.mintorg.gov.by to learn more.
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