In January-June 2024 Belarus’ foreign trade in merchandise and services ran a surplus of $100 millllion as against the deficit of $138 million in the same period of last year, BelTA learned from the statistics data released by the website of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB). Merchandise export grew faster than import. In June 2024, the deficit of merchandise foreign trade decreased by $227 million over May 2024. In general, in H1 2024, the foreign trade had a...

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the importance of patronage programs in agriculture during his visit to OAO Agrokombinat Yubileiny in Orsha District on 11 August, BelTA has learned. The topic was discussed on Friday, 9 August, at a meeting held in Shklov to consider efficient development of agricultural production in the gross-forming Shklov and Orsha districts.  “We talked about patronage. I believe that our plant [Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant] in...

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus, Major-General Pavel Muraveiko met with Military Attaché of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Belarus Ularbek Abykeyev, representatives of the Defense Ministry told BelTA. Pavel Muraveiko and Ularbek Abykeyev discussed matters of bilateral military cooperation. The parties confirmed the readiness to continue providing active assistance with reinforcing the friendly ties between the defense...

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed decree No.312 on retiring and drafting personnel for active military service and reserve service on 7 August, the press service of the head of state told BelTA. The document provides for drafting male Belarusian citizens for active military service and reserve service in September-November 2024. The citizens have to be 18 years of age as of the draft day and have no draft deferment. The document also provides for drafting the citizens,...

Belarusian Education Minister Andrei Ivanets revealed some preliminary results of the 2024 university admissions process as he spoke to the media on 5 August, BelTA has learned. “This year's entrance scores for a number of specialties are quite high, despite the fact that the total number of free-tuition places has been increased by almost 3,000, primarily for the most demanded specialties - teaching, engineering and healthcare,” Andrei Ivanets said. “Today, as promised, we...