VITEBSK, 8 November (BelTA) – Resident companies of the Vitebsk Free Economic Zone (FEZ Vitebsk) exported commodities worth nearly $160 million in January-September 2011, an increase of 25% compared to the same period last year, BelTA learned from the investment and economic department of the FEZ administration. The CIS accounted for almost 90% of exports, with Russia's share being approximately 82%. The free economic zone imported raw materials and component parts worth $153.2 million (up 4.3% over the same period last year). Over the first nine months of 2011, FEZ Vitebsk recorded a trade surplus of $6.7 million. Overall, foreign trade in January-September was 13.8% higher than in the same period a year ago. FEZ resident companies attracted $32.4 million in foreign investment, including $19.3 million in loans and $13.1 million in FDI. In January-September, FEZ residents utilised Br91 billion in investment, with fixed-capital investment accounting for Br70.1 billion. Together with appropriations from the central state budget for the development of FEZ Vitebsk's infrastructure, the total volume of fixed-capital investments in the free economic zone amounted to Br73.8 billion. FEZ resident companies produced goods worth over Br873 billion, an increase of 75%. Import substitutes constituted nearly 50% of the total output. Fourteen FEZ Vitebsk residents are included in the import-substitution programme. Revenue from the sales of products (works, services) exceeded Br1.1 trillion, with net profit reaching Br148.2 billion. Over the nine months, 440 jobs were created. As of 1 October, the total number of jobs exceeded 11,200.