Alina Hovhannisyan. The trade turnover between Armenia and Belarus is growing not only in terms of value, but also the nomenclature is expanding. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Armenia Igor Nazaruk told about it in an interview with ArmInfo on the sidelines of the international industrial exhibition EXPO RUSSIA ARMENIA.

"First, I'm pleased to note that we have increased the previous year level and the current figures on mutual trade by almost 30%. While comparing the volumes of 2017 against 2016, the growth exceeded more than 35%. Our turnover is steadily growing higher and higher ", he stressed.

According to the Ambassador, this year Belarus began supplying fresh chilled beef to the Armenian market, components for the production of beer, in particular brewing malt, white sugar. As I. Nazaruk noted, meat and dairy products have incredible popularity in Armenia.

The Belarusian diplomat did not speak about problems and barriers, stressing that a corresponding legal basis had been created for the development of successful cooperation between the countries and there was an economic basis. "There are a lot of opportunities. In particular, our automotive and municipal engineering. For example, Sanitek is trying to purchase Mercedes for the garbage collection in Armenia, and the citizen will pay for this service with funds from own pocket. Whereas purchases from the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) will cost Armenia several fold cheaper, as a result of which citizen will only benefit. We have all the necessary equipment for this purpose. But, unfortunately, many of the Armenian representatives are looking another way, forgetting that we have potential inside the EEU, from which we benefit, "the Ambassador stressed.

Speaking about the exhibition, I. Nazaruk noted that he was pleasantly surprised by the participation of a number of Belarusian enterprises, despite the fact that the event was called EXPO RUSSIA ARMENIA. "We need to look at the future somewhat more broadly and not limit ourselves to the Armenian-Russian companies on the stands. Our partners in the EEU should be involved more'', the diplomat said. In particular, the Ambassador said that the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Oncology took part in the exhibition: "This is a team with tremendous experience and traditions. This is convenient because there is a direct flight connection between Yerevan and Minsk. Three hours of flight, and a person can undergo a full examination and get a highly qualified service". The Belarusian Metallurgical Plant also became an exhibitor, whose metal cord is used, according to the Ambassador, by one third of the world's tire manufacturers. Nazaruk also noted the participation of the Trade House "Belarusian Machines", which produces metal-cutting, woodworking and various materials, processing machines, etc

Sergey Fadeyev, financial director of the Belarusian Machines Trade House, told ArmInfo that the company currently exports its production to the markets of the CIS countries, including the EEU except Armenia. Speaking about the competitiveness of their products, S. Fadeyev stressed that the production of Belarusian developers with high quality will cost the purchaser cheaper than imported similar products from China and the Russian Federation. According to the financial director, representatives of the Belarusian Machines TD will hold B2B meetings with 27 Armenian entrepreneurs in the framework of the exhibition.

According to the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, the foreign trade turnover between the Republic of Armenia and Belarus amounted in January-August of this year $ 32.1 million with an increase of 20.1% per annum. At the same time, exports increased by 66% to $ 7.5 million, imports – by 10.8% to $ 24.6 mln.