Belarus plans to step up trade with Russia, Asia, Africa, Latin America amid EU sanctions – Semashko
MINSK, Jul 12 - PrimePress. Belarus plans to increase trade with Russia, Asia, Africa and Latin America amid the sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU), Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia Vladimir Semashko told RIA Novosti.<br> <br> He said Belarus had been living under sanctions for many years, and had gained adaptation and counteraction experience. “The rest of the world is open to us, and no one is stopping us to enter new markets, even though it is not as easy as it may seem,” Semashko said.<br> <br> “We see significant reserves in trade with Russia, huge potential in Asia, especially in China, Vietnam, India and Pakistan, as well as in Africa, Latin America, the Persian Gulf countries and the Middle East. There are dynamically growing economies and solid markets. We just should be able to work and compete there,” the ambassador said.<br> <br> He said sanctions “should never be taken thoughtlessly.” “They do harm the economy. The question is whether the state is capable of minimizing the damage, resist and maintain positive economic growth dynamics,” he said.<br> <br> According to Semashko, the government has a detailed plan of action to neutralize the impact of Western sanctions. “We have analyzed the situation in all the sectors hit by them, all the risks, and prepared a response package. We have leverage to respond, diplomatically and economically, but I would not dwell on details at this point,” said Semashko.<br> <br> So far, he says, Belarus “can only roughly assess the damage from the sanctions, and the exact figures will come later.” “Over time, as both Belarusian and international practice shows (we are not the only ones living under sanctions), the damage will be gradually and steadily diminished,” said the ambassador.<br> <br> As previously reported, on June 24, 2021, the EU Council imposed sanctions against the largest sectors of the Belarusian economy for escalating human rights violations in Belarus and the incident with the forced landing of the Ryanair plane in Minsk on May 23, 2021.<br> <br> President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held on July 6 a meeting on countering Western sanctions. He did not rule out a possibility of restricting transit through the country in case the West imposed new sanctions, and instructed the government to look at foreign companies that operate in Belarus and transit of goods through the country. He believes that restrictions are advisable in relation to German companies. In April 2021, the Belarusian government banned imports of Škoda Auto (Czech Republic), Liqui Moly and Beiersdorf (Germany) products for six months. End<br> <br>
2021-07-12
Primepress
Belarus plans to step up trade with Russia, Asia, Africa, Latin America amid EU sanctions – Semashko
He said Belarus had been living under sanctions for many years, and had gained adaptation and counteraction experience. “The rest of the world is open to us, and no one is stopping us to enter new markets, even though it is not as easy as it may seem,” Semashko said.
“We see significant reserves in trade with Russia, huge potential in Asia, especially in China, Vietnam, India and Pakistan, as well as in Africa, Latin America, the Persian Gulf countries and the Middle East. There are dynamically growing economies and solid markets. We just should be able to work and compete there,” the ambassador said.
He said sanctions “should never be taken thoughtlessly.” “They do harm the economy. The question is whether the state is capable of minimizing the damage, resist and maintain positive economic growth dynamics,” he said.
According to Semashko, the government has a detailed plan of action to neutralize the impact of Western sanctions. “We have analyzed the situation in all the sectors hit by them, all the risks, and prepared a response package. We have leverage to respond, diplomatically and economically, but I would not dwell on details at this point,” said Semashko.
So far, he says, Belarus “can only roughly assess the damage from the sanctions, and the exact figures will come later.” “Over time, as both Belarusian and international practice shows (we are not the only ones living under sanctions), the damage will be gradually and steadily diminished,” said the ambassador.
As previously reported, on June 24, 2021, the EU Council imposed sanctions against the largest sectors of the Belarusian economy for escalating human rights violations in Belarus and the incident with the forced landing of the Ryanair plane in Minsk on May 23, 2021.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held on July 6 a meeting on countering Western sanctions. He did not rule out a possibility of restricting transit through the country in case the West imposed new sanctions, and instructed the government to look at foreign companies that operate in Belarus and transit of goods through the country. He believes that restrictions are advisable in relation to German companies. In April 2021, the Belarusian government banned imports of Škoda Auto (Czech Republic), Liqui Moly and Beiersdorf (Germany) products for six months. End