In 2009, our trade turnover totalled almost $50 billion, with a 30.7 per cent decrease ($22 billion) against 2008.

Exports of goods went down by 34.7 per cent against 2008 (over $11 billion) and amounted for over $21 billion.

Exports to the CIS decreased by 35 per cent totalling $9,3 billion.

Exports to non-CIS countries made up almost $12 billion which is a 34.4 decrease against 2008, while the share of non-CIS countries in our overall exports went up by 0.2 per cent.

Imports of goods fell by 27.5 per cent ($10.8 billion) and totalled $28.5 billion. Imports from the CIS was 63.8 per cent (58.5 per cent from Russia) of all goods that Belarus imported from the outside.

Trade balance turned negative and totalled $7.2 billion, with $470.9 million surplus against 2008.

With countries that are not members of the CIS, our trade balance was positive amounting for $1.6 billion.

Trade in services totalled $5.5 billion in 2009 – a 19.1 per cent decrease against 2008.

Exports of services went down by 17.3 per cent against 2008 making up $3.4 billion.

Imports of services decreased by 22 per cent and amounted for $2 billion.

Our positive balance in services’ trade fell by $148.7 million and settled at $1.4 billion.