Belarus Made USD 200 Million from International Truck Haulage in 2002

Belarus made USD 184.4 million from international truck haulage in 2002. This was announced by Head of the Foreign Trade Department of the Belarus Transport and Communications Ministry Sergei Kuchinsky.

He said that international truck haulage remains one of the main sources of the country's income. The location of Belarus is attractive for this kind of business. About 14 thousand articulated lorries are involved in truck haulage to Western Europe alone. According to the Belarus ministry 80% of the international truck haulage industry is involved in transportation between other countries, from Russia on the one side and Germany, France, Austria, Holland and other European countries on the other.

Mr Kuchinsky added that in 2003 Belarus truck haulers are expected to transport 5.5% more than they did in 2002.

One of the biggest problems for Belarus in this area in 2003 is the unresolved question of Belarus truckers' involvement in transportation between Russia and other countries, which is connected with service quotas. There are plans to make special provisions for their work in this area and an agreement is expected to be reached at the next meeting of the Russian and Belarus transport ministries scheduled for March 13.