Trade and economic relations between Bulgaria and Belarus have been developing dynamically and I hope that we will keep this growth rate of trade. This was stated by the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus in Bulgaria HE Vladimir Voronkovich at a meeting with the Minister of Economy Bojidar Loukarsky today. He noted that the pharmaceutical industry ranks first as a share of trade with Belarus. According to their data, 70 enterprises with Bulgarian participation are currently operating in Belarus. Last year there was an increase in the number of tourists from Belarus in Bulgaria compared to 2013, and 133 thousand tourist visas have been issued. The cooperation in the field of telecommunications and high technology has been developing well, too.
Minister Loukarsky also stressed that he hoped the exchange between the two countries will grow not only in the field of tourism but also in terms of industrial production. Ambassador Voronkovich expressed his hope that soon Bulgarian government will appoint a co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation on Bulgarian part. Minister Loukarsky announced that he would suggest the Deputy Minister of Economy Lyuben Petrov to be appointed for this position on our part, and expected that a government decision to complete the commission would be taken soon. The next committee meeting is expected to be held in Minsk by the middle of this year, and Ambassador Voronkovich suggested it to be accompanied by a business forum.
In 2014, compared to 2013, the trade between Bulgaria and Belarus increased by 34.8% and reached $ 89.0 million, the growth in exports was 43.0% which is $ 57.8 million., while imports increased by 21.8% which is $ 31.2 million. The trade balance is positive – $ 26.6 million