KIEV, July 18 - Ukraine and Belarus may increase mutual trade to $8 billion/year in two years, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko said Tuesday. The trade is currently estimated at $4.5 billion/year.

"Last year was successful for us. Goods turnover between Ukraine and Belarus grew by 10.5% according to our statistics and by 10.8% according to your statistics. This is despite the fact that last year was the year of recession," Semashko said after a meeting of the Ukrainian-Belarusian Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation in Kiev.