In the first half of the year, the volume of exports of the Omsk region increased by a third

The volume of exports of regional enterprises in the first half of 2018 increased by 34.1% compared to the same period last year.

"We have seen a positive growth trend in exports since the beginning of this year. In the first half of the year, foreign trade turnover increased by 21.5% compared to the same period last year. The amount amounted to 574 million dollars, of which 400.6 million dollars were exported. Enterprises of the Omsk region supplied chemical industry products, rubber, foodstuffs and raw materials, machine–building products, as well as metals and products made from them," the Ministry of Economy of the region explains.

According to statistics, imports to the Omsk region decreased by 0.2% compared to the same period last year, and amounted to 173.4 million dollars. The foreign trade balance was positive, and amounted to 227.2 million dollars.

The Ministry of Economy clarifies that since the second quarter of last year, a project has been implemented in the Omsk region aimed at developing international cooperation and exports until 2025. The essence of the project is to stimulate the creation and development of export-oriented enterprises, the development of international cooperation. In addition to the activities implemented by the Regional Government, a regional infrastructure organization, the Omsk Region Export Support Center, operates in the region on the basis of the Omsk Region Development and Investment Agency, whose tasks include stimulating and supporting export−oriented enterprises by organizing their participation in foreign exhibitions, fairs, contact exchanges, as well as training in the basics of export activities.

A new educational project to teach Omsk companies the basics of foreign economic activity is being implemented in the region thanks to the cooperation agreement signed at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum by the head of the Omsk Region, Alexander Burkov, which aims to help Omsk entrepreneurs become active exporters. In addition, in the interests of increasing Omsk food exports, the head of the region has signed a cooperation agreement with the United Grain Company. Cooperation between the parties will be aimed at ensuring the export of Omsk agricultural products to the markets of the Asia-Pacific region.

"Foreign trade operations in the first half of the year were carried out with partners from 84 countries of the far and near abroad. The Omsk Region's main trading partners are Kazakhstan, China, the Netherlands, Belarus, Germany, Turkey, Poland, Algeria, Finland, Hungary, Italy and the Czech Republic. China ranks second among trading partners. There are 54 enterprises with the participation of Chinese capital operating in the Omsk region," the regional Ministry of Economy explains.

Omsk region is actively developing international cooperation. There are 18 agreements and agreements with foreign partners in the region aimed at developing trade relations. "Active work is underway to strengthen bilateral relations by participating in various international events on the territory of foreign countries, as well as by organizing visits of foreign partners to the Omsk region," the Ministry of Economy said.

Export-oriented enterprises can view their business visits planned for the second half of the year on the website.