Rumas: Full resumption of Belarus’ exports to Russia is delayed by Russian authorities

The complete resumption of supplies of Belarusian products subject to Russia’s import ban is delayed by Russian authorities, Chairman of the CIS Economic Council, member of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers Sergei Rumas told reporters in Moscow following the session of the CIS Economic Council.

Sergei Rumas noted that First Vice Premier of Russia Igor Shuvalov had given instructions to lift the restrictions on the import of Belarusian products. Several Belarusian companies have already been removed from the import ban list; the decisions on some others are still pending. According to Sergei Rumas, the final decision on the matter is to be made on 15 December.

The situation is already having its toll on the Belarusian meat processing companies, Sergei Rumas emphasized. Those of them that produce perishable products were hit the hardest. Belarus is doing its best to lift the import ban. The country believes that Russia is too slow to lift the restrictions.

Sergei Rumas informed that upon Belarus’ initiative, the vice premiers of the CIS member states discussed food safety control in individual CIS member states at a narrow-participation meeting of the CIS Economic Council. The participants of the meeting also discussed the non-proliferation of unilateral measures affecting foreign trade in goods that are moved in transit in line with the customs procedures.