Minsk’s Industrial Output Reported Up 19.6 Percent in First Seven Months

The output of Minsk’s industrial enterprises increased by 19.6 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of 2008, whereas the target for the entire year was 15 percent, according to the statistics department of the Minsk City Executive Committee.

In the period, the output of enterprises under the authority of national-level governmental agencies, those controlled the Minsk government, and private entities increased by 17.7, 17.6, and 25 percent, respectively.

The output of consumer goods in the capital city rose by 12 percent, whereas the target for the entire year was 12 percent. Retail trade increased by 16.2 percent, with the target for the year being 13 percent.

Fixed capital expenditures in Minsk increased by 13.7 percent in the first seven months, with the target for the entire year being 25 percent. Housing totaling 560,200 square meters was built in the city in the period, whereas the target for the year was 1,229,000 square meters.

Minsk-based enterprises other than those importing and exporting oil and petroleum products had a deficit of $2,474.6 million in foreign trade in goods, with their exports and imports increasing by 37.4 and 43 percent, respectively. The deficit had been projected to be $4 billion in 2008.

The enterprises had an export surplus of $537.7 million in foreign trade in services, with exports increasing by 35.8 percent and imports by 41.1 percent. A surplus of $1,185 million had been projected for the entire year. //BelaPAN