OREANDA-NEWS. October 18, 2010. Belarus expects increase in trade with the United States, said Belarus’ Prime Minister Sergei Sidorski as he met with member of the US House of Representatives William Delahunt.

 “We have good prospects to reach the 2007 level of bilateral trade, which is more than USD700 million,” Sergei Sidorsky said.

The Prime Minister reminded that US Administration made a couple of decisions prohibiting Belarusian exporters to sell their products on the US market. As a result, Belarus-US trade turnover plummeted to some USD 490 million in 2009. The US is ranked 11th in Belarus’ foreign trade. “We would like the United States to be among Belarus’ main foreign trade partners. Belarus is interested in closer cooperation with American companies,” said the Belarusian Prime Minister. He added that main items of Belarusian export are high-technology goods, such as chemicals and fibers.

Sergei Sidorsky said that during the crisis, he used to meet with representatives of major American companies, who expressed their interest in establishing large-scale industries in Belarus. A council for Belarus-US business cooperation has been created for this purpose.

Belarusian Prime Minister said that as of today there are 327 joint and foreign companies with American capital, including Spartak, Beldentko, and Mogilev Steel Works. Belarus’ economy raised USD 54 million worth of American investments (including USD35 million of direct ones) in 2009.

Belarus actively develops scientific and technical cooperation with the US. A number of American companies are residents of Belarus’ High-Tech Park and operate branches in Belarus. Microsoft plans to open its office in Belarus in 2010.

“We attract your investments and our companies are open for privatization,” said Sergei Sidorsky.

The Prime Minister informed William Delahunt about economic reforms in Belarus, modernization, investment policy and Belarus’ position in the World Bank and UN ratings.

Belarus and the United states have concluded six intergovernmental agreements on economic cooperation, banking activities, etc. in January-August 2010 Belarus-US trade totaled USD 302.6 million, Belarus’ export was up 79.4% on the same period 2009.