Report of Chairman of State Customs Committee Vladimir Orlovsky

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko received a report from Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Vladimir Orlovsky on 21 September.

“Customs is above all about the budget. I am informed that over the course of this year, despite certain difficulties, you have even added almost 3.5% to last year’s level in this regard. That is good growth,” the head of state noted. “Nevertheless, I would like to hear what problems exist.”

“The crude economic attacks from the European Union and the West in general have not gone away. There is a reorientation of goods flows to the east. Is it working or not?  What problems are there?” the Belarusian leader asked.

The prime minister and the government inform the President that Belarus has managed to reorient itself to the east. The head of state pointed to the ongoing talks with the USA as one indication of this. Earlier, Aleksandr Lukashenko announced the supply of Belarusian potash fertilizers to the USA. However, Belarus cannot supply large volumes to the USA, since its output is already contracted for this year.

“Even if we wanted to supply [potash] to other, Western markets, we simply do not have those volumes - everything is contracted,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

He also sought clarity on how the situation is developing with supplies of goods from unfriendly countries that have imposed sanctions on Belarus.

The head of state raised another issue connected with the reorientation of goods flows. This concerns Russia’s introduction of the system confirming expected import shipments (SPOT). “How do the measures that the Russian Federation is taking to protect its market, the so-called SPOT, affect us? In general terms, of course, I follow the situation and am informed that you have managed to establish good, sound relations with Russia regarding the introduction of these measures, and our carriers are not experiencing any serious problems. That is good,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

“How does customs infrastructure operate in the eastern and western directions? What needs to be done to make the work more effective?” the Belarusian leader asked Vladimir Orlovsky.

The chairman of the State Customs Committee reported to the President on how goods flows at the border are taking shape in the current situation. “At present, 85% of all Belarusian exports and imports for Belarusian enterprises go in the eastern direction. First of all, China and other Asian countries. And, of course, the Russian Federation,” he said.

Speaking about revenues to the state budget, Vladimir Orlovsky noted that growth of almost 3.5% was recorded over the eight months. This month, the growth figure so far stands at 5.2%.