Putin: Russia–Belarus trade rises 20.6% to 1.3 tnl rbl in 2015

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (PRIME) -- Russian trade with Belarus increased 20.6% to 1.3 trillion rubles in 2015, President Vladimir Putin said following negotiations with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday.

“This year due to strong exchange rate fluctuations on currency markets the sales in dollar terms decreased, but in ruble terms increased 20.6% to 1.3 trillion rubles,” he said.

“This result was also secured by a growing share of Russian and Belarusian companies’ settlements in national currencies. It stands at about 86% of the whole sales.”

Russia is Belarus’ top trade partner, which accounts for almost half of its foreign trade, the president said.

(70.2244 rubles – U.S. $1)

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