NOVOPOLOTSK, 29 March (BelTA) - In January-February this year trade between Belarus and Latvia went up more than 3.5 times, Ambassador of Belarus to Latvia Alexander Gerasimenko said at the first Belarusian-Latvian forum of twin-towns. Latvia is a major trade and economic partner of Belarus, stressed Alexander Gerasimenko. Last year alone 82 joint ventures with Belarusian capital were set up in that country (currently there are over 500 of them). Sixty-three companies with Latvian capital were set up in Belarus in 2011 (377). Through Latvia goes the main transit corridor of Belarus accounting for 57% of land cargo and 30% of sea cargo of Belarus. In addition, Latvia is one of the main investment partners of Belarus. Last year Latvia’s investment in Belarus amounted to $118.5 million, half of them were direct investments. All in all, investments over the past five years have reached $700 million. “This all speaks volume about the enormous wish of businessmen of the two countries to cooperate. They see mutual benefits in this,” Alexander Gerasimenko said. According to him, the Latvian business was categorically opposed to the sanctions against Belarus; they made such statements in the European business community. The diplomat expressed confidence that Belarus and Latvia will find a way to continue to step up trade and economic relations and called on the local authorities and business to use all opportunities for establishing contacts between regions and enhancing cooperation.

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