Belarusian food products are in demand on all the markets of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Belarusian Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Minister Vladimir Koltovich reported.
“Foreign partners like Belarusian products. Russians, Ukrainians and Kazakhs know that the Belarusian quality is high, and our products are welcome on all the CIS markets”, the minister stressed.
Belarus has been actively diversifying its exports.
“Russia is the priority destination. Most of our exports land on this market. Yet, the government has instructed us to diversify the exports. Locally produced goods account for more than 80% of the domestic market today. In line with the food security concept the imports should not exceed 25%. Thus, food security is ensured in the country”, Koltovich noted.
When asked about the situation with payments to suppliers, the minister stressed that this issue had never lost its relevance.
“A special commission has been set up in the ministry to deal with the most difficult matters related to payments. Unfortunately, rural retailers are the biggest defaulted debtors today”, he said.
Vladimir Koltovich added that this problem could not be settled quickly. Serious system-based efforts are needed here. The ministry keeps close track of the payments between retail networks and companies. (BelTA/Business World Magazine)
