OREANDA-NEWS. November 22, 2007. In 2007, the trade turnover between Belarus and Moscow may increase 1.5 times as against 2006, Belarusian Premier Sergei Sidorsky noted during the opening of a session of the Business Cooperation Council of Belarus in Moscow in the Russian capital on November 20, Belarusian government's press service reports.

In January-September 2007, the trade turnover between Belarus and Moscow made up $3039.7 million, or 15.7% up (by $413 million) in the same period last year. In the period under review, Moscow accounted for 15.3% of Belarus-Russia trade. Exports totaled $1947.9 million, or 16.9% up (by 282 million), imports - $1091.9 million, or 13.7% up (by $131 million). Belarus had a surplus in trade with Moscow to the tune of $856 million.

According to Sergei Sidorsky, the far-flung commodity distribution network, various exhibitions and fairs in Moscow and Belarus have helped the two sides boost supplies and expand the range of Belarusian goods on the Moscow market and Moscow goods on the Belarusian market. So far, this year Belarus has not reached last year's rates of supplies of Belarusian foodstuffs to the Moscow market, the Premier noted.

According to the Premier, the reason of the underrun was a delayed certification of Belarusian dairies by Russia's Federal Service of Agricultural Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor). As of today, all the Belarusian companies have been already certified. Sergei Sidorsky is sure that in the near future exports of Belarusian foodstuffs to Moscow will be stepped up.

The sides have agreed on the supplies of Belarusian foodstuffs and construction materials to Moscow in 2008.