The managing subjects of the Gomelskaya Oblast are executing export-import operations with more than 70 countries of far abroad - they cover more than a quarter of the foreign trade turnover of the Oblast.

The most active trade is with Germany, Poland, Egypt, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Latvia. A permanent growth in foreign trade volumes has been seen lately.

From the countries of far abroad we are importing machines and equipment, finished food products, articles of chemistry. In the goods structure of export metals and articles therefrom, as well as mineral products are dominant.

The Russian Federation remains the principal partner in foreign trade. Non-ferrous metals and articles therefrom cover about one third of the volume of the export structure. Also, mineral products, textile and textile articles, machines and equipment, wall-paper, cardboard, porcelain articles are supplied.

Operations to import and export services are one of the components of the balance of payments. The enterprises and organizations of tne Oblast are delivering various services (first of all, the transport ones) to all the CIS countries, as well as to 30 countries of far abroad. Under the annual growth of volumes of services, the balance is traditionally positive.

Foreign trade plays a decisive part in the economic growth. They are doing everything possible in the Oblast to make the export-import operations universal, and to diversify the structure of export, they are active in attracting foreign capital.

All the possibilities are available for mutually profitable and fruitful cooperation. A good example of this was establishment and operation of 62 joint and 20 foreign enterprises with the total of USD 41.3 million of their Statute Funds. Private persons and companies from 29 foreign states took part in establishing these enterprises (one fifth of all enterprises was created with participation of German capital). 67% of joint and foreign enterprises are developing their own production, 33% are in trading activities.