Belarus restricts imports from Ukraine, imposes licenses on series of goods

Belarus adopted a decision on an individual licensing regime for the import of a series of Ukrainian goods: confectionery, chocolate, juices, beer, sowing machinery, etc.

"According to current information, Belarus has introduced a regime of individual licensing for the import of a number of Ukrainian goods: confectionery, chocolate, juices, beer, chipboard and fiberboard, wallpaper, toilet paper and packaging, bricks, ceramic tiles, school ampoules, agricultural sowing machinery, washing machines, and furniture. This decision was approved by a resolution of the Council of Ministers of Belarus of May 26. The decision will take effect 10 days after publication and will remain in force for six months," the press service of the Ministry of Economy informs.

The Ministry of Economy emphasizes that such actions are unjustified and discriminatory. The individual licensing regime means manual control over the import of Ukrainian products to Belarus. The Government holds consultations with producers to address the negative effects of discriminatory actions by the Belarusian government.

As reported, Belarus ranked sixth among Ukraine's partners in foreign trade in goods in 2020 but dropped to the seventh position in the first quarter of 2021.

In 2020, Ukraine-Belarus trade turnover totaled $4.2 billion. (-20.6% by 2019): exports of goods - $1.3 billion (-13.8%), imports of goods - $2.9 billion (-23.4%).

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