The foreign trade of Gomel oblast in January-July 2005 jumped 22.5 per cent on a year before to USD 2,92 billion, BelTA was informed in the department for foreign economic ties of the Gomel oblast executive committee.
At the same time the exports grew by 40.2 per cent to USD 2,06 billion, import amounted to USD 860 million or 94 per cent to the level of January-July 2004. Hence the foreign trade surplus amounted to USD 1,2 billion.
Over the last 10 years Gomel oblast exports have considerably outpaced imports. For example, in 2004 the positive trade balance amounted to USD 941 million.