OREANDA-NEWS. October 03, 2007. The transit of Belarusian exports and imports via the Klaipeda port is steadily rising, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky told the press, reported the Official website www.government.by.

In 2006 the transit totalled 4,515 million tonnes, 29,1% up on 2005. In 2006 the transportation of potash fertilisers amounted to 1,627 million tonnes (25,5% up on 2005), petroleum products — 1,245 million tonnes (67,7% up). Over the last few years Belarusian freights accounted for 20-25% of the total freight shipping the Klaipeda seaport handles and around 20% of the freightage of Lithuanian railways.

In January-August 2007 Belarus’ cargo transportation to Lithuania amounted to 4,81 million tonnes, 51,1% up on the same period of last year. Of the total chemical and mineral fertilisers made 2,19 million tonnes, oil and petroleum products — 1,6 million tonnes. The transportation of cargoes from Lithuania equalled 295 thousand tonnes, 50,2% as against the same period of last year. This significant decrease is attributed to the reduction of raw sugar and grain imports. In January-August 2007 transit traffic to Lithuania made 5,18 million tonnes, 66,3% up.

The development of Belarusian-Lithuanian cooperation in transport and transit is constantly in the centre of attention of transport ministries of the two countries and the Belarusian-Lithuanian commission for trade and economic cooperation. The legal base regulating the bilateral cooperation in transport industry develops. In May 2007 an intergovernmental agreement on navigations using inland waterways was signed. The sides are now completing intrastate procedures required for the agreement to come into force. Besides, a Belarusian-Lithuanian intergovernmental agreement designed to enhance shipping industry is in development.