Belarus should have made better use of Russia sanctions: expert

The European Union has prolonged Russia sanctions for six months. Russian PM Dmitri Medvedev has suggested prolonging the so-called ‘food embargo’ for half a year in retaliation.

Euroradio has asked economist Leanid Zaika whether Belarus can benefit from it.  

Zaika: “It is hard to imagine a better situation – Belarus’ rivals are being removed. Belarus has access to Russia’s huge market. It could sell its own goods and resell Polish goods to Russia – cheap meat and apples. Belarus will keep benefiting from the embargo. It is advantageous for Belarus. However, we are not making use of the situation: our export of milk and meat to Russia has decreased! The Belarusian agrarian administration is to blame for it: they are used to idling and selling.”

It is necessary to encourage producers and to be more active in the Russian market, the economist believes.

Photo: 15minut.org