President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko accepted the report from the chairman of the State Customs Committee Vladimir Orlovsky. A key aspect for domestic export is the introduction in Russia of a new system for confirming goods' arrival.

The development of documents to simplify the SPOTO procedure. Certain inconveniences for Belarusian exporters exist in the part concerning control at the Russian-Belarusian border. However, no serious problems in the customs authority are seen. Belarus together with Russia are developing union-level documents. They should simplify the procedure and improve the situation for Belarusian exporters.

The head of state also was interested in the level of development of customs infrastructure and necessary measures for expanding its efficiency. Actions by Western neighbors who deliberately sabotage cargo flows were discussed as well.

"Customs is primarily a budget. I am informed that during this year, despite certain difficulties, in this regard you have even increased compared to last year – almost by 3.5 percent. This is good growth," noted the head of state. "Nevertheless, I would like to hear what problems exist in this regard," he added.

"There have been no crude economic slaps from European Union countries, the West in general. There is a reorientation of cargo flows to the east. Is it possible, is it not? What problems are there in this regard?" clarified the Belarusian leader.

As the prime minister and government inform, overall Belarus has managed to reorient cargo flows to the east. The head of state pointed out that one of the evidence of this is negotiations with Americans, which Belarus is conducting.

"The very fact that we might want to ship (potassium – ed.) somewhere else, to western markets, simply there are no such volumes – everything is contracted," reminded the Belarusian leader.

The head of state identified another issue related to the reorientation of cargo flows. "How do measures taken by the Russian Federation to protect its market, so-called SPOT, affect us? In general terms, of course, I am monitoring the situation and informed that you have managed to establish good, positive relations with Russia in the matter of introducing these measures and our carriers are not experiencing any serious problems. That is good," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.

"Customs infrastructure – how does it work on eastern, western directions? What, perhaps, needs to be done to make the work more efficient?" asked Vladimir Orlovsky, the Belarusian leader.

"Trade flows have been redirected from west to east. Currently, 85% of Belarus's total exports and imports for Belarusian enterprises is the eastern direction: primarily China, other Asian countries, and the Russian Federation. If we slipped slightly in payments last year, this year we have made up for it and are moving forward with an overtake of 3.5%, and for the 9-month period already 5.2%. That is, we are still gaining, enterprises are working, paying, accordingly, this is felt," reported the Chairman of the State Customs Committee.

Only 7 of the 26 road border crossing points are open on the border with the EU. Coordinated actions by Western countries are leading to the formation of queues for exit from Belarus. On the border with the European Union, only 7 out of 26 road crossing points are open. This is causing suffering not only for carriers but also for private individuals.

Belarus, in turn, continues work on developing customs infrastructure and creating comfortable conditions for crossing the border.

"Our task (and we are trying to fulfill it) is to create comfortable conditions for border crossing. We implemented the head of state's directive and introduced a system of remote registration when crossing the border. It is in great demand: 65% of those crossing the border, leaving the country, register remotely, as they say, 'from the sofa,' and arrive at the border crossing at the right time. This is very convenient," Vladimir Orlovsky told journalists after reporting to the President.

"The most important thing when passing through the border is that the time at the checkpoint should be as minimal as possible. There are no problems at all on exit. On entry, it is necessary to maintain a balance between fast passage, paperwork, and preventing the import of prohibited substances or anything that could harm citizens. We try to maintain this balance," he said.

According to him, this is confirmed by the results of the law enforcement activities of customs bodies.

In an effort to counteract attempts to import goods into the country that pose a threat to national security, the life and health of citizens, the illegal import of about two tons of narcotics and psychotropic substances across the border was prevented.

Customs authorities have fully switched to remote cargo processing in the electronic declaration center. This format is also actively used for personal use goods.

Belarusian customs authorities were the first in the Eurasian Economic Union to implement such procedures. Thus, the clearance of imported goods now takes just two hours, transit goods are processed in ten minutes, and export goods in a mere five minutes.