Belarusians Ignore Authorities' Questionnaires, Handed Out At Border

Only 60.8% were filled in.

In October 2023, a sample survey of individuals was conducted at the road border crossing points of the Republic of Belarus and 3,298 questionnaires were distributed at 6 road border crossing points. Out of the total number of questionnaires distributed, 2005 questionnaires (60.8%) were filled in. As we can see, Belarusians are not willing to share any information with the regime, writes myfin.by.

Among the persons crossing the border, non-residents of the Republic of Belarus accounted for 56.7%. They filled out 1,137 questionnaires. Citizens of Belarus filled in 868 questionnaires.

During the survey period, 49.4% of the total number of persons entering the Republic of Belarus reported bringing in goods (530 out of 1070 persons). 49 per cent of the respondents who travelled outside the Republic of Belarus (458 out of 935 persons) reported taking goods out of the country.

The import of goods was primarily from Poland (64.3% of the total value of goods imported into Belarus during the survey) and Lithuania (34.5%).

According to Belstat, the main types of imported goods were:

TV sets (imported for an average of $620 per person who indicated the fact of importation and the value of this type of goods);

computer equipment and means of communication ($522);

electrical household appliances ($297);

tyres and wheels ($207);

power tools, chainsaws ($177);

auto parts ($149);

furniture, mattresses, lighting fixtures ($139);

building materials ($126);

sanitary ware ($124).

In addition, clothing ($83), toys, games, sports equipment ($72), footwear ($68), perfumes and cosmetics ($56) were imported.

Goods from Belarus were exported mainly to Lithuania (58.7% of the total value of exported goods) and Latvia (23.5%).

The main types of exported goods were computer and communication equipment (exported on average $525 per person who indicated the fact of export and the value of this type of goods), furniture, mattresses, lighting fixtures ($155), electrical household appliances ($124).

Other goods were also exported, including auto parts ($44), petrol and diesel fuel ($42), foodstuffs ($35), and medicines ($31).