Belarus, Russia trade may hit $37 billion in 2008

The trade between Belarus and Russia may reach $34-37 billion in 2008, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Belarus Alexander Surikov told a press conference on August 6. According to him, in H1 2008, the trade between the two countries made up $18 billion as against $11 billion over the same period last year (60% up). The two countries increased the supplies of tractors and truck tractors by 44%, agricultural equipment – by 94%, milk and dairy products – by 46%, beef – by 60%. At the same time, however, 60% of the growth in trade is fuelled by increasing energy and food prices. In H1 2008, Belarus posted a deficit in trade with the Russian Federation at the amount of $6 billion.