OREANDA-NEWS. July 01, 2010. First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko informed that Russia’s share in Belarus’ exports is steadily declining. In 2000 Russia accounted for 51% of Belarus’ total exports, while in 2009 the figure dropped to 32%.

At present Belarus seeks to drastically diversify its exports and penetrate new markets. The exports to Asia and Africa have increased to make up 8%, Latin America 3%, the CIS member states (Russia not included) 12%.

Vladimir Semashko emphasized the need to expand trade with Venezuela. “When we started trading with this country several years ago the trade volume stood at merely USD6 million, while in 2009 it soared to reach USD230 million,” he said. The countries are well positioned to boost the trade up to USD1 billion. At present Belarus constructs four plants in Venezuela: a plant to make tractors (its designed capacity is up to 10,000 tractors per year), trucks (up to 5,000 trucks), municipal and road construction machinery (up to 3,000 machines) and bricks (100 million bricks).

The First Vice-Premier underlined the importance of the Brazilian market Belarus is exploring now. The efforts to diversify trade are meant to redress the foreign trade deficit, Vladimir Semashko concluded.